We are among the first generation of children raised by two gay dads or two lesbian moms. Before we had learned to read, we learned our families were different—even despised by some. But the gay slurs, hostile glares, and bullying paled in comparison with the realization that our government did not stand behind us and our families—forbidding marriage and curbing parental rights, passing state constitutional amendments expressly denying our parents equal protection, and even criminalizing their sexual relationships.
Over the past two decades, the Supreme Court struck down these discriminatory laws and policies. But the question of whether our families fully belong is again before the court. On Wednesday, the court will hear arguments in Fulton v. City of Philadelphia, a case testing whether discrimination against LGBTQ would-be adopters can be justified on religious grounds. Catholic Social Services, a religiously affiliated child placing agency that refuses to work with same-sex couples, is asking the court to require Philadelphia to work with and fund it—even though Philadelphia otherwise requires that city-sponsored foster agencies deal with prospective families on a nondiscriminatory basis.
If the court rules in favor of Catholic Social Services, it will send a clear message to people like us: that our parents are not good enough and our families are not worthy of the respect other families receive. Anyone is free to hold that view, but no appeal to religion should allow—much less require—our government to endorse it.
via Slate
