PA GOP Congressman’s Bill Would Enable Publicly Funded Adoption Agencies To Discriminate Against LGBTQ
Congressman Mike Kelly, a Republican whose district covers the most northwestern parts of Pennsylvania, has introduced a bill called the “The Child Welfare Provider Inclusion Act.” The purpose of the bill is to discourage states and municipalities from withholding funds to foster care and adoption agencies on the basis of their religious beliefs.
If the bill becomes law, any agenices that refuse to allow Gay couples to adopt, could not be defunded by states and municipalities for that reason. States and municipalities would be defunded themselves by the Federal government if they chose to defund any agencies that don’t allow Gay couples to adopt.
Catholic Groups Support the bill.
“Child welfare providers, who serve the needs and rights of children regardless of background, enjoy the cherished freedom of religious liberty like all Americans,” three bishops wrote in a letter of support to Scott and Kelly. CatholicPhilly.com reported that “It was signed by Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee for Religious Liberty; Archbishop Paul S. Coakley of Oklahoma City, chairman of the USCCB Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development; and Bishop David A. Konderla of Tulsa, Oklahoma, chairman of the USCCB Subcommittee for the Promotion and Defense of Marriage.”
GLAAD (Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) Opposes the bill
“This bill is out of step with the majority of Americans who believe LGBTQ people should not be discriminated against,” GLAAD said in a statement. “Research shows that LGBTQ people provide the same love and protection for children as any other parent, and discriminating against qualified couples only hurts the children who could benefit from a loving home. Religious-based agencies, including one in Philadelphia [Bethany Christian Services], have already determined that they can serve LGBTQ families — and that doing so does not conflict with their beliefs. Those who wish to avoid laws protecting people from discrimination are entitled to their religious beliefs. But they are not entitled to secular, taxpayer funds and contracts. LGBTQ people, like all law-abiding citizens, pay their taxes. And they should not have to also fund agencies that discriminate against them, as this law apparently wishes [them] to do.”