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California Governor Mulls Signing Bill Banning Foster Parents Who Oppose Homosexuality

SACRAMENTO, August 27, 2003 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Yesterday, a Bill (AB 458) that would require foster parents to affirm homosexuality went to Governor Gray Davis's desk to be signed into law. In both the Assembly and the Senate, most Democrats supported the bill, and Republicans opposed it. The Governor has 11 days to decide whether or not to sign the bill.

AB 458 has gathered tremendous controversy from many who feel that the law may actually require the state to discriminate against foster parents who adhere to major religions and who would raise their foster children in accordance with their religious faith and convictions.

"Many who are motivated to be foster parents do so because of their religious convictions to help out children in need," said State Sen. Rico Oller. "When masses of Christian foster parents can no longer in good conscience participate in the state's foster program, who do you think will step in and provide homes for these needy children?"

The bill also makes no allowance for foster parents to arrange for a child to have counselling to constructively resolve issues of gender identity or orientation. Instead, if a child says that he thinks he is a homosexual, the foster parents would be required by this bill to outright affirm and support the child's notions and behaviour, no questions asked. "We at the Pacific Justice Institute have pledged to represent any foster parents who are discriminated against because of their faith," said Brad Dacus, President of the Pacific Justice Institute.

In addition to creating new rights for foster children who feel they may be homosexual, the legislation would also require special pro-homosexual sensitivity training for all foster parents.

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