A federal judge has ruled that religious adoption agen­cies must abide by Philadelphia’s non-discrimination laws, dismissing a discrimination complaint by agencies that wanted to use their religious beliefs to discriminate against prospective LGBTQ foster parents.

Americans United joined hundreds of civil-rights and child-welfare organizations in late July to urge members of Congress to reject a proposal to allow federally funded adoption and foster-care agencies to use religion to discriminate against prospective parents and children in need.

Ignoring the best interest of children, a few House Republicans have proposed allowing federally funded adoption and foster care agencies to use religion to discriminate against prospective parents and children in need. Americans United joined hundreds of civil rights and child welfare organizations this week in urging members of Congress to reject this cruel proposal.