Parents have a right to follow their religious convictions.  Agencies that help parents adopt children have a right to follow the religious convictions they were founded to uphold.

Freedom of religion is a fundamental right in America and in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

A man and woman united in marriage should not be discriminated against by government when they wish to adopt a child.  An adoption agency that exists solely to help a man and a woman united in marriage adopt children should not be discrimated against by government.

Birth parents and adoptive parents have closely held religious beliefs.  Those religous beliefs should be respected by government.  In no way should government discriminate againt birth parents or against adoptive parents who wish to provide adopted children with a home founded upon marriage between a man and a woman.

On 20 April 2011, the State Board of Social Services correctly voted to uphold the fundamental right of faith-based agencies to continue their great work without intrusion by government into the practice of their religous faith.  Faith based agencies are the backbone of all who serve their needs of their fellow man.  To discriminate against faith-based agencies would be to deny our Constitution and all the freedoms that men and women have lived and died to protect and preserve in our Nation and our Commonwealth.