I am writing today to share my comments on the proposal before the Board of Social Services that would force faith-based child placement agencies to place children with homosexual couples in violation of their religious values.

I was born, raised and educated in Virginia and continue to be a proud member of the commonwealth. I spent Contitution Day at the home of James Madison reflecting on the great traditions of freedom and self-government that have their roots in our state.

One of the most important principles that Mr. Madison championed was that of religious liberties. We are a people of diverse religious traditions. Our founding fathers intended a governmental framework that allowed those of various Christian faiths (and by extention, the non-christian faiths in growing numbers today) to exercise their faith freely without government interference.

The proposed regulations to force faith-based child placement agencies to act in contradiction to their religious values is clearly the type of regulation that Mr. Madison and Mr. Jefferson wanted to protect against.

The citizens have already spoken clearly during the initial public comment time and the Virginia Board of Social Services made the correct decision in April. My fellow Virginians in the ACLU and Equality Virginia are threatening to make life difficult for the state unless they can force their view on others. This is a shame. Citizens who have religious values that embrace homosexuality have plenty of other options for adoption. Please do not let these political bullies abuse the religious liberties of our fellow Virginians.

Please do NOT force faith-based child placement agencies to place children with homosexual couples in violation of their religious values.