WASHINGTON — The American Psychological Association expressed disappointment in a ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court that a Catholic foster-care agency is exempt from complying with a law that prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation.
The unanimous decision, in the case Fulton v. Philadelphia, found that Catholic Social Services, a private foster care agency that has a contract with the city, can refuse on religious grounds to place foster children with same-sex couples. Philadelphia’s Fair Practices Ordinance bars discrimination based on sexual orientation.
“We are dismayed that the court ruled that religion-affiliated agencies are exempt from the city’s nondiscrimination law,” said APA President Jennifer F. Kelly, PhD. “There is extensive research demonstrating that same-sex couples are as capable, supportive and caring as opposite-sex couples. There is also extensive research documenting the discrimination faced by same-sex couples. However, while Catholic Social Services may continue to deny foster status to same-sex couples, there are other options that will continue to allow same-sex couples in Philadelphia to parent foster children.”
APA filed a friend of the court brief in the case, joined by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Medical Association and the American Psychiatric Association. The brief argued that the city has a compelling reason to try to eliminate discrimination based on sexual orientation and cited scientific evidence that children in foster care should have access to all qualified families.