MICHIGAN STATE SENATE PASSES PACKAGE OF BILLS ALLOWING ADOPTION AGENCIES TO REFUSE LGBT COUPLES

(Photo: Politico)

A package of bills that was passed by the Michigan state Senate on Wednesday will allow adoption agencies that are publicly funded to turn away potential LGBT parents due to religious beliefs.

The bills state that agencies reserve the right to deny adoption services to homosexual couples under circumstances that conflict with religious beliefs included in a written policy.

Republican supporters claim they’re protecting the religious beliefs of others and contesting attacks from LGBT advocates.

The bill includes a policy banning the state from taking legal action against any agency that chooses to deny services to LGBT prospective parents.

Opponents of the bill argue that agencies now have the freedom to discriminate against potential parents based on sexual orientation, while being financed by the taxpayer’s dollar.

Governor Rick Snyder has been unclear as to whether he will allow these bills to become law.

Lonnie Scott, executive director of Progress Michigan has been putting pressure on Snyder to veto the Republican-backed bills.

“Gov. Snyder has claimed he wants to make Michigan a welcoming place and that he doesn’t believe in discrimination. It’s time for him to act on those supposed convictions and veto this dangerous legislation.”

Read more: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/06/10/michigan-adoption-bill-lgbt-parents_n_7553952.html