Gabe and Liz Rutan-Ram of Tennessee were seeking to foster-to-adopt a 3-year-old boy from Florida. But those plans fell through when a taxpayer-funded foster care agency said it wouldn't help them because they're Jewish. With AU's help, Gabe and Liz are suing because a new state law unconstitutionally permits such religious discrimination by foster care agencies in Tennessee.

“The Tennessee Constitution, like the U.S. Constitution, promises religious freedom and equality for everyone. Tennessee is reneging on that promise by allowing a taxpayer-funded agency to discriminate against Liz and Gabe Rutan-Ram because they are Jews,” said Alex J. Luchenitser, associate vice president and associate legal director at Americans United. “Laws like House Bill 836 must not stand when they allow religion to be used to harm vulnerable kids and people like Liz and Gabe who want to provide those children with safe and loving homes.”