Lawsuit filed against Michigan state after same-sex couple turned away from adopting

The American Civil Liberties Union are suing Michigan’s Department of Health and Human Services.

They’re also suing the Children’s Services Agency on behalf of Kristy and Dana Dumont.

The lawsuit was filed earlier this week in federal district court. It argues turning prospective families away is harmful to the 13,000 children in the state’s care.

The Dumont’s claim they were turned away by two state-contacted adoption agencies who said they did not work with same-sex couples.

The couple had moved into a home with two spare bedrooms and a spacious yard. They were in a school district with good extracurriculars and a diverse community.

They had been together 11 years. Dana started receiving emails from the Michigan’s Department of Health and Human Services looking for foster and adoptive families. This was when they started considering adoption.

‘They didn’t even know us’

Dana started receiving emails from the Michigan’s Department of Health and Human Services looking for foster and adoptive families. Tihs was when they started considering adoption.

Kristy explained: ‘When you click on emails and you can see pictures of the kids and stories of the kids, it starts tugging on your heartstrings.’

They question how they could be turned away.

The couple began sending messages to child-placing agencies in 2016. Each agency was contracted by the state to inquire about adopting from the foster care system

Kristy contacted Catholic Charities, then Bethany Christian Services but both said they didn’t work with same-sex couples.

Dana said: ‘It was kind of a slap in the face. They didn’t even know us. How could you say no to people who you don’t even know?”

Kristy added: ‘The most important piece of this is getting some information out there so kids can find permanent, loving homes.’

She hopes the case will pave the way for other same-sex couples who have been turned away from being foster carers or adopting.

‘We are just one couple in this situation. There are lots of couples out there. If it’s happening to us, it’s happening to others as well,’ Kristy Dumont added.

Source: Lawsuit filed against Michigan state after same-sex couple turned away from adopting

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