Statement from NFYI Regarding the Supreme Court Ruling on Service to Same-Sex Couples

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The National Foster Youth Institute joins our partners, current and former foster youth, foster youth families, community members, and community organizers in condemning a decision handed down last week by the Supreme Court, which was yet another setback in the fight for equal rights and protections for LGBTQ+ Americans.

The ruling in favor of a web designer in Colorado who refuses to create websites to celebrate same-sex weddings out of religious objections supports discrimination against a specific population.

“Last week’s Supreme Court decision opens the door to discriminating against protected classes like LGBTQ+ foster youth and parents, setting a dangerous precedent,” said NFYI Executive Director Rebecca Louve Yao.

NFYI represents an already vulnerable community and the court’s decision opens a dangerous pathway that may take away yet another protection, which makes the most vulnerable even more vulnerable.

NYFI will continue to advocate for LGBTQ+ foster youth as well as foster and adoptive parents. LGBTQ+ youth are overrepresented in the foster care system and we will work to uplift and amplify their voices and continue to stand with them.