"Jessica is a loving mother who wants to open her home to children in need right now, but Oregon officials are excluding her and countless other families because of their religious beliefs about sexual ethics and the human body," said ADF Senior Counsel Jonathan Scruggs, who will be arguing before the court on behalf of Bates. "Because these caregivers cannot promote Oregon's dangerous gender ideology to young kids, the state considers them to be unfit parents. That's false and harmful, needlessly depriving these kids of opportunities to find a loving home. We are urging the 9th Circuit to remind Oregon that the foster and adoption system is supposed to serve the best interests of children, not the state's ideological crusade."

Bates applied to become certified to adopt children from foster care two years ago. Oregon's DHS, the agency responsible for overseeing the state's child welfare programs, denied her application because she would not agree to say and do things that conflict with her faith, like lying to children and telling them that girls can be boys and vice versa.

Although Bates told ODHS officials that she would happily love and accept any child placed with her, officials rejected her application, making her ineligible to adopt any child—even infants or children who share her religious beliefs.

In January, a broad coalition of foster and adoptive parents, religious liberty groups, free speech and family advocates, 20 states, and detransitioners filed friend-of-the-court briefs with the 9th Circuit in support of Bates. The briefs join ADF in arguing that ODHS's policy needlessly penalizes Bates and many other people of faith for their religious views, compels parents to speak words that violate their conscience, and deprives children in need of the opportunity to find loving homes.

Rebekah Schultheiss, one of more than 4,500 attorneys in the ADF Attorney Network, is serving as local counsel on behalf of Bates. Subscribe for free to Breaking Christian News here

Alliance Defending Freedom is an alliance-building, non-profit legal organization committed to protecting religious freedom, free speech, parental rights, and the sanctity of life.

To receive daily emails from Breaking Christian News to your inbox CLICK HERE

From Pulisic's 'Bible Time' to Team Prayer on the Field, US Gives 'Glory to God' at World Cup

Good News: Gasoline Drops Below $4 A Gallon

Pennsylvania Governor Shapiro Abandoning 30,000 Children as Democrats Push to Strip School Choice

Canada's Parliament Officially Passes 'Bible Ban' Bill C-9

Occupied Britain: Muslim Rape Gang Report Warns against Dangers of Mass Immigration (Part 1)

Obama Center Contractors Say Millions Are Owed

VP Vance Defends Iran Deal, Says It Will Benefit Both America and Israel

President Trump Signs MOU with Iran During Dinner at Palace of Versailles (VIDEO)

[Watch] JD Vance Ventures Onto 'The View,' Serves Up an Unforgettable Schooling

School District Pays $95K to Settle Lawsuit After Painting Over Bible Verse Tribute to Charlie Kirk

Is MLB Treating Christians Differently? Senator Hawley Demands Answers

Hundreds of Thousands of Antidepressants Recalled Over Potential Cancer Risk

12 Key Points on Iran Peace Deal Revealed, as Trump Says He'll Likely Read It to Media So They Get It Right

Election Results: Trump-Backed Candidates Win 3 Senate Primary Contests, Lose in Georgia Governor's Race

A Mother's Concern, Call to Authorities May Have Prevented Potential Terror Attack on UFC Event at the White House

Feds Name Five Individuals Charged in UFC Freedom 250 Terror Plot

Video: Iran Soccer Fans Defy FIFA Autocrats and Fly 'Lion & Sun' Pre-Islamic Regime Flags

Good News: Nearly 60 Planned Parenthood Facilities Have Shut Down Since Trump Took Office

Illinois Man Receives Prison Sentence for Killing Unborn Baby With Abortion Pills

Louisiana Dad Poisons His Daughter with Abortion Drug in Latest Mifepristone Horror Story