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Christian parents – including mom who struggled with gender dysphoria as a child – wouldn’t take children to Pride parades or follow pronoun protocol; suit filed with help of Alliance Defending Freedom
by Mary Margaret Olohan, Daily Signal
FIRST ON THE DAILY SIGNAL—A new lawsuit alleges that Vermont blocked two families from fostering children, despite the state’s foster care system crisis, because the families held traditional, religious views on gender and sexuality.
Brian and Kaitlyn Wuoti and Michael and Rebecca Gantt, assisted by lawyers with the Alliance for Defending Freedom, accused the Vermont Department for Children and Families of mandating an “ideological position at the expense of children” in a lawsuit filed Tuesday. Both Brian Wuoti and Michael Gantt are pastors, and both families hold traditional, Christian religious views.
The Daily Signal is first reporting the existence of the lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Vermont, Windham Division. The Daily Signal also exclusively sat down with both the Gantt family and the Wuoti family for interviews in Vermont, where they described how they were prevented from adopting or fostering needy children due to their religious beliefs.
“Although the Wuotis and Gantts have adopted five children between them, the Department has determined they are unfit to foster or adopt any child solely due to their religiously inspired and widely held belief that girls cannot become boys or vice versa,” the filing states.
“And Vermont applies this policy categorically—whether applicants want to adopt their grandchild, provide respite care for an infant for just a few hours, or foster a child who shares all of their religious views,” the complaint continues. “Vermont would prefer children have no home than to place them with families of faith with these views.”
Vermont foster officials have described a “desperate need for emergency foster homes” as recently as Dec. 19. In an email obtained by The Daily Signal, Foster/Kin Care Manager Carrie Deem told foster families that she was “reaching out for help,” describing an “urgent” need.
“The raw honesty behind this message is that of desperation,” she wrote in the email, sent shortly before Christmas. “We need you! Family Services is in a crisis beyond what we have seen before.”
Vermont’s own Department for Children and Families website notes that “we always need more foster families in Vermont.” The crisis has become so extreme, particularly due to the opioid endemic, that some children in need of homes have been forced to stay in hospital emergency rooms or police departments.
Typically, there are about 1,060 children in state custody, the Vermont Department for Children and Families told a local outlet in May 2023, and approximately 900 licensed foster families.
The Wuoti parents, inspired by their Christian faith, decided to answer the state’s call to help vulnerable children and first became foster parents in 2014. The lawsuit describes how they “adopted two precious brothers who have become an integral part of their family.”
The Gantt parents, who have four biological children, began fostering in 2016. They have since adopted three “beautiful children,” as the lawsuit says, noting that they “have a heart for children with fetal alcohol syndrome and those born addicted to drugs.”
When the Wuotis sought to renew their license in 2022, the lawsuit says, one caseworker described them as “AMAZING” and said she “probably could not hand pick a more wonderful foster family,” while their licenser said he had “no doubt” they would gladly welcome any child into their home.
“But when the Wuotis politely shared that they were Christian,” the lawsuit states, “and that they could not say or do anything that went against faith-informed views about human sexuality, Vermont revoked their license anyway.”
Similarly, the Department for Children and Families asked the Gantts to take in an emergency placement that involved a baby about to be born to a homeless woman who was addicted to drugs. Before the Gantts could agree to do so, the department sent out an email letting families know that they must accept the State’s views on gender ideology “even if the foster parents hold divergent personal opinions or beliefs,” according to the lawsuit.
“The Gantts responded that they would unconditionally love and support any children placed with them, but they would not forsake their religious beliefs that people should value their God-given bodies,” the lawsuit states. “The Department refused to let the Gantts take the baby in need and instead revoked their license.”
The Gantt and Wuoti lawsuit argues that Vermont Department for Children and Families’ policy not only harms children and “hinders their chance to find forever homes,” it also violates the First Amendment.
“It requires parents to speak the State’s controversial views, while restricting parents’ ability to politely share their commonsense beliefs to any child in any context—categorically excluding disfavored viewpoints from the foster-parent pool entirely,” the filing states. “Vermont’s regulations also target particular religious views for unequal treatment through an exemption-riddled system of individualized assessments.”
The Vermont Department for Children and Families, reached for comment by The Daily Signal, shared some of the segments on gender from its website. Section 200 of the licensing rules states that “all foster parents are prohibited from engaging in any form of discrimination against a foster child based on race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, or disability.”
Section 201.10 calls for applicants and foster parents to show “respect for the worth of all individuals regardless of race, color, national origin, ancestry, culture, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual identity, and physical or mental ability.”
The licensing rules specifically order foster parents to “support children in wearing” any items affirming their racial, cultural, tribal, religious, or gender identity.
Both the Wuotis and the Gantts told The Daily Signal that they would have loved and cherished any children put in their care by the state. But the Department for Children and Families had asked them if they would be open to taking their foster children to pride parades or using preferred pronouns to refer to the children. The Wuotis and the Gantts both said no.
“We were surprised, because they are typically always trying to match children with families as best they can, and so we assumed maybe they would say, ‘Ok, maybe we won’t place an LGBT child with this family,’” said Brian Wuoti.
“We were offered to be reeducated and given the choice that they could either revoke our foster license or we could take some education materials, and they could give us up to a year to change our faith,” added Michael Gantt. “And I said, ‘No, we are not going to change our faith in the next year; absolutely not.’”
Kaitlyn Wuoti said that she herself had experienced gender dysphoria at a young age, saying that she “desperately wanted to be a boy.” Her father affirmed to her that she was, in fact, a girl, but encouraged her to be interested in tomboy pursuits like model cars.
“My parents loved me, let me like the things I liked, never lied to me about who I was, and never encouraged me to hate my own body,” she explained.
The Wuotis believe that background gives them special insight into helping a child struggling with gender dysphoria.
“They … genuinely think that this is the care of these children that are in need, so I understand, in a way, where they are coming from,” Brian Wuoti added. “But we also know, in the way that Katie had been loved and cared for by her parents, that there can be wonderful, flourishing outcomes for children even in a home that doesn’t agree with the state on these issues.”
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Categories: State Government
All must bend the knee the the gender ideology cult. This is a United Nations agenda. I believe it has more to do with hindering reproduction in the name of saving the planet. The United Nations focus is population control in the name of saving the planet. The United Nations actually lists abortion as an integral part of reproductive health. When the UN references reproductive health, it means from the perspective of the health of the planet relative to population.
It’s about going against what God created – male and female.
Though European countries are moving away from such gender affirming care approaches, Vermont will be the last to see the light. Vermont increasingly chooses to persecute Christians and embrace anti-Christian values and those values and policies that defy common sense.
The headline is deliberately misleading. DCF is not targeting all Christians – only those whose personal beliefs render them unfit to parent gay and transgender children. Many Christian denominations accept gay or transgender identity; many non-Christians have personal beliefs that would render them unfit to parent gay or transgender children.
Mark, you leave me speechless. The United Nations is very clear and has openly stated that religious rights are second to trans and LGBTQ rights, so it is an attack on religious rights. Although, this policy does affect others. You also assume that these children already identify as LGBTQ plus, but that is not necessary the case. Parents could ultimately agree to foster a child and then be forced to witness this child indoctrinated into the gender cult and under go traumatic surgical reassignment surgery, which can result in significant health issues. Countries globally are banning gender affirming care due to its harmful and unscientific benefits. The WHO has stated that gender policies are not based on science, but on the demands of activists. America is behind the times. The truth is that Vermont and the NEA is captured by the United Nations and its agenda. I spoke to a teacher recently about this. Based on my conversation with this teacher, most teachers have no idea that the United Nations is the entity pushing gender affirming care or the suppression of religious rights. She was clueless. Although, the teacher made it very clear that Christopher Columbus was an evil enslaver.
It’s not about being a Christian. It’s about dealing with reality. People cannot change their gender. Heart and soul wounds cannot be healed with drugs and surgeries. The lies need to stop. Children are being irreversibly damaged by so called gender-affirming care.
Wow ! I mean WOW ! The people at DCF making these decisions need to get the sh__ sued out of them ! Honesty being the best policy, Gov. Scott needs to weigh in on this, so his position is known before the election. If he thinks that people of faith, (and face it, it’s not just Christians that believe in the teaching of traditional values) have no place, or are less desirable than those that do not have these beliefs, “we the people” should know that ! Is the mission of DCF to promote non traditional life styles ? WTH !
If only the State cared about pedophilia as much… sigh.
oh they do very much, they are looking to legalize that…..coming soon. Why do you think they want to be able to groom them without their parents knowing? It is seriously their plan, clearly laid out by their actions.
They are very much looking forward to getting there. Here’s an interview that gets into it, later on in the interview but it’s worth the watch.
https://www.infowars.com/posts/lara-logan-destroys-the-new-world-order-in-epic-alex-jones-interview/
Ahhhh..
Where’s the science?
Do you believe in the theory of evolution?
How does being homosexual, needing a sex change due to a doctors misgendering work out with the theory of evolution?
The theory of evolution is brutal to these groups, Christianity is very forgiving…interesting times. May the Holy Spirit enter our confused state legislators.
Just asking a simple question, would love to hear from them.
Kudos to the former foster parents who are standing firm w/ their religious beliefs! What a nightmare it would have been should a LGBTQ child be placed in their home, look for guidance and find out they are in a private conversion therapy camp. Children, need love and acceptance, not indoctrination and the belief that they are in some way deviant.
It never ceases to amaze how our state government picks fights destined for court!
Perhaps they really believe that forcing their ideology on the citizens willing to step-up and give a good home to children who are in need of love is more important than having a loving and supportive family.
The dunderheads!
Isaiah 5:20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
In a sexual species, there are two sexes- male and female.
99.93% of the human species has either XX or XY chromosomes, the rest is genetic mutation.
Being one sex but thinking you are another is a psychological disorder.
Mandating a widespread enabling of a psychological disorder is sociopathy.
There are many aspects to this issue just beside the common sense one of there are only two genders; Male and Female, whoever thinks differently should start walking around NAKED and you’ll probably notice there are only two differences for a purpose.
On another level of this discussion, not being discussed in the public are the DCF, on a National level is a organization which Traffics children for the Pedophiles and the Human Trafficking of all Genders and ages too different parts of this Globe. Lets also not forget the Organ Harvesting which is a Global issue and bet you last dollar this agency hasn’t overlooked this way of making money for the Deep State Cabal.
On another level is that this state is run, at all levels, by the cabal; an organization with many names: Cabal, Deep State, New World Order, KHAZARIAN MAFIA and they control many, many Nations on this Planet. Politicians of both political parties, entire Judicial system form Judges to local police and Sheriff’s, the entire Hospital Medical Mafia and their extended operations, Public Education System all the way to Graduate Schools. This is no Joke and if you do your research and comprehending the Media and New Papers are really owned and operated by this same group you’ll start to be able to filter out the truth..
Truth is a scarce commodity, unfortunately in our day and age, but it can still be found
When the government wields lawfare warfare against God and God’s people, they are legitimizing His existance and taunting His power. They are incredibly foolish and being led down the road to their own destruction. The Pharaohs of old did the same thing – how did that work out? Woe onto the worshippers of Baal and false idols. We shall know them by their fruits and they shall reap what they sow. The tares are ready for harvest.
Here is the remarkable change that happened in El Salvador,
https://choiceclips.whatfinger.com/2024/06/06/tucker-president-bukele-saved-el-salvador-he-may-save-the-world/
What was the first part of the plan, who’s wisdom do they look toward?
They got peace, who gives you peace?
My Peace I give to you? Who said that.
This is a miracle, one which is available to us if we only change our direction and ask.
TGBTG
This, the same state that years ago made the law to recognize gay marriage because marriage was between two people who loved each other, remember TAKE BACK VERMONT signs? Then it was changed so they could adopt and foster children because love for a child had no boundaries and love is love!_ Then came a one sided government who brought in the now WOKE agenda with gender surgeries and took control away from the parents. Is it any wonder that now they say if you don’t bend to their wishes you are worth nothing? WELCOME TO VERMONT!