{"id":2610378,"date":"2026-06-03T20:20:00","date_gmt":"2026-06-04T00:20:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/christian-couple-wins-massive-victory-over-blue-state-that-barred-them-from-foster-program\/"},"modified":"2026-06-03T20:21:46","modified_gmt":"2026-06-04T00:21:46","slug":"christian-couple-wins-massive-victory-over-blue-state-that-barred-them-from-foster-program","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/christian-couple-wins-massive-victory-over-blue-state-that-barred-them-from-foster-program\/","title":{"rendered":"Christian Couple Wins Massive Victory Over Blue State That Barred Them from Foster Program"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">28<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fchristian-couple-wins-massive-victory-over-blue-state-that-barred-them-from-foster-program%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2610378&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>A Christian couple in Washington reached a settlement after being denied a <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >foster-parent license due<\/a> to a state requirement that foster families use preferred pronouns and comply with rules tied to gender ideology. The deal requires Washington\u2019s child services agency to revise its licensing policies so that it cannot impose restrictions on licenses solely because of applicants\u2019 religious beliefs-including around speech and actions related to marriage or gender\/sexual relationships. The state also agreed to pay the couple $250,000 in attorneys\u2019 fees.The couple, Shane and Jennifer DeGross, previously served as foster parents for nearly a decade before losing their license in 2022 for refusing to certify compliance with the pronoun rule.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><br \/>\n<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC \"-\/\/W3C\/\/DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional\/\/EN\" \"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/TR\/REC-html40\/loose.dtd\"><br \/>\n<?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><html><body><\/p>\n<section> \t\t\t\t<script>console.log(\"ad slot (AC1)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC1)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC2)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC3)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC4)\")<\/script><\/p>\n<p>A Christian couple in Washington won a lawsuit settlement against the state government, enabling religious families to foster children without having to promote gender ideology.<\/p>\n<p>Shane and Jennifer DeGross were previously denied a full license to serve as foster parents under a state policy requiring families to use preferred pronouns, per a May 20 <a href=\"https:\/\/adflegal.org\/press-release\/following-adf-lawsuit-religious-families-in-wa-state-are-free-to-serve-as-foster-parents\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">release<\/a> from the Alliance Defending Freedom.<\/p>\n<p>Washington\u2019s Department of Children, Youth, and Families must now amend their licensing policies to ensure the beliefs of religious families are respected.<\/p>\n<p>The agency cannot attach \u201cany conditions or restrictions to the license solely because of their religious beliefs, including speech and actions pertaining to marriage, gender, or sexual relationships.\u201d<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">HUGE WIN: To settle an <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ADFLegal?\">@ADFLegal<\/a> lawsuit, Washington state has agreed to stop discriminating against <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/exclusive-sen-marshall-challenges-proposed-hhs-rule-that-would-force-foster-parents-to-accept-extreme-gender-ideology\/\" title=\"Sen. Marshall opposes HHS rule imposing &#039;extreme ...&#039; on ...\">religious foster parents<\/a>, dropping its requirement that they use wrong-sex pronouns.<\/p>\n<p>This is a win for foster families of faith across WA\u2014and for kids who need good homes. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/3T3Pykn610\">pic.twitter.com\/3T3Pykn610<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Kristen Waggoner (@KristenWaggoner) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/KristenWaggoner\/status\/2057195747599147294?\">May 20, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Washington officials also agreed to pay $250,000 in attorneys\u2019 fees as part of the settlement.<\/p>\n<p>The agreement comes weeks after a federal court <a href=\"https:\/\/adflegal.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/degross-v-hunter-2026-04-22-order-on-mtd.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">ruling<\/a> made clear that Washington was violating the First Amendment by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/oregon-mom-sues-state-for-denying-adoption-over-stance-on-trans-procedures\/\" title=\"Oregon Mom Sues ... for Denying Adoption Over Stance on Trans Procedures\">requiring foster parents<\/a> to facilitate so-called gender transitions.<\/p>\n<p>Alliance Defending Freedom Senior Counsel Johannes Widmalm-Delphonse celebrated the settlement.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWashington\u2019s policy failed to respect religious diversity because it singled out applicants with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/d-w-wilber-theres-a-cancer-eating-at-america\/\" title=\"D.W. Wilber: There&#039;s a Cancer Eating at America\">traditional religious beliefs<\/a> on the sanctity of the human body,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe DeGrosses merely asked to be treated the same as any other family \u2014 without being asked to compromise their core beliefs,\u201d the attorney continued.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis is a win-win because it will ensure more families can serve as foster parents to help meet the needs of every precious child in Washington\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/unanimous-supreme-court-backs-catholic-adoption-agency-in-dispute-over-gay-foster-parents\/\" title=\"Unanimous Supreme Court Backs Catholic Adoption Agency in Dispute Over Gay ...\">foster-care system<\/a>. We are thrilled to see common sense and religious liberty prevail.\u201d<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">This outcome would not have been possible without our clients, Shane &#038; Jennifer DeGross.<\/p>\n<p>These longtime Christian foster parents stood firm on their convictions, even when it cost them their foster license.<\/p>\n<p>Now, countless children and families will benefit from their courage. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/KFipVWIPFp\">pic.twitter.com\/KFipVWIPFp<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Kristen Waggoner (@KristenWaggoner) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/KristenWaggoner\/status\/2057195754926514574?\">May 20, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Before losing their license, the DeGrosses had served as foster parents for nearly a decade.<\/p>\n<p>They lost the license in 2022 after they would not \u201ccertify that they could comply with the rule\u2019s requirements on chosen pronouns,\u201d according to the Alliance Defending Freedom.<\/p>\n<p>They filed a lawsuit in 2024 against Washington state alleging religious discrimination.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAs part of the settlement, Washington will remove its regulation on using chosen pronouns,\u201d the release added.<\/p>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f7f7f7; color: #171717; display: flex;font-size: 16px;font-weight: 600;line-height: 1.5;margin: 24px 0;padding: 18px 20px 18px 30px;text-align: left;\">\n<div style=\"align-self: stretch;border-left: 3px solid #171717;flex-shrink: 0;padding-left: 20px;\"><\/div>\n<p><a style=\"text-decoration: none;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/preferences\/source?q=https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/\">Choose The Western Journal as your preferred source on Google and never miss reporting that defends truth, protects freedom, and advances Western civilization<\/a><\/div>\n<p style=\"border: 1px solid #f5f5f5; padding: 16px;\">Advertise with The Western Journal and reach millions of highly engaged readers, while supporting our work. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/advertise-us\/?wj_source=article\">Advertise Today<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div class=\"entry-submit-correction inner-content\">\n<div class=\"correction-form\">\n<form style=\"display: none;\">\n<div class=\"sc-name-field\"> \t\t\t\t\t\t<label>* Name<\/label> \t\t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"text\" name=\"name\" required> \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc--field\"> \t\t\t\t\t\t<label>* <\/label> \t\t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"text\" name=\"\" required> \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p> \t\t\t\t\t<label>* Message<\/label> \t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t<textarea name=\"message\" required><\/textarea> \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<div class=\"required-message\" style=\"display: none; padding-bottom: 15px;\">* All fields are required.<\/div>\n<p> \t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"submit\" value=\"Submit\" onclick=\"event.preventDefault(); firefly_sc();\"> \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<div class=\"firefly-sc-confirm\" style=\"display: none;\">Success!<\/div>\n<\/p><\/form>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p> \t\t<script> \t\t\tfunction firefly_sc() { \t\t\t\tif( typeof window.captchaPublicKey == typeof undefined ){ \t\t\t\t\tconsole.error('window.captchaPublicKey is not defined'); \t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\tgrecaptcha.execute( window.captchaPublicKey, { action: 'submit_correction' } ).then( function( token ) { \t\t\t\t\tvar opts = { \t\t\t\t\t\taction:    'firefly_sc_submit', \t\t\t\t\t\tname:      document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"name\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\t:     document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\tmessage:   document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"message\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\tpost_id:   firefly_post_id, \t\t\t\t\t\tcap_token: token \t\t\t\t\t}  \t\t\t\t\tvar inputs = [ 'name', '', 'message' ];  \t\t\t\t\tfor( var i = 0; i < inputs.length; i++ ) if( ! 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