Pacific Justice Institute Files Federal Lawsuit Challenging Washington Foster Care Policy

SEATTLE, Wash. - Pacific Justice Institute (PJI) has filed a federal lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington on behalf of Shannon McIntire, a Christian woman who was denied a foster care license by the State of Washington due to her religious beliefs.

The case, McIntire v. Senn, et al., challenges Washington's foster care policies, which require prospective foster parents to comply with state-mandated positions on issues of gender identity and sexuality. These requirements include using a foster child's preferred pronouns, even when inconsistent with biological sex, and facilitating participation in pro-LGBTQ events, counseling, and medical appointments.

According to the complaint, the state's policies leave little room for religious dissent, effectively disqualifying applicants who hold traditional, faith-based views.

Ms. McIntire applied to become a foster parent with the intention of providing a loving and stable home for children in need. During the application process, she was questioned extensively about how she would respond to scenarios involving LGBTQ-identifying foster children. Ms. McIntire affirmed that she would care for any child placed in her home but explained that she could not promote or affirm beliefs about sexual identity or gender expression that conflict with her Christian faith.

Following these responses, the state denied her application, determining that she was unfit to serve as a foster parent.

PJI asserts that this denial constitutes unlawful discrimination and violates Ms. McIntire's rights under the First Amendment, including her rights to free speech and the free exercise of religion.

"This case goes to the heart of what it means to live freely in America," said Brad Dacus, Founder and President of PJI. "The government cannot force individuals to choose between serving their community and staying true to their faith. When the state conditions participation in public programs on ideological conformity, it violates the very Constitution it is sworn to uphold."

PJI staff attorneys Katherine Hartley, Rachel Filozof, and Tracy Tribbett, who are representing Ms. McIntire, emphasized the broader implications of the case:

"Washington's policy imposes a rigid ideological test that excludes qualified, compassionate individuals solely because of their religious convictions," the attorneys said in a joint statement.

"The Constitution protects the right to hold and express those beliefs without government penalty. Foster children benefit from loving homes, and the state should not be turning away willing caregivers based on viewpoint discrimination."

Pacific Justice Institute remains committed to defending religious freedom and ensuring that individuals are not excluded from public life for adhering to their sincerely held beliefs.

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