Oregon court rules in favor of Christian mother in foster adoption dispute

A widowed Christian mother, Jessica Bates, has won a legal battle to continue her pursuit of adopting children through Oregon’s foster care system. Following a court order from the U.S. District Court of Oregon, the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) must reinstate her application or allow her to reapply for certification.

The lawsuit, supported by attorneys from Alliance Defending Freedom, challenged ODHS rules that excluded Bates due to her religious beliefs regarding gender identity and sexual orientation. Bates argued that the state’s requirements—which included affirming a child's preferred pronouns and participating in gender-transition protocols—conflicted with her sincerely held faith.

The court order prohibits the state from denying her application based on her religious convictions, which include the belief that sexual activity should occur within marriage between one man and one woman and that individuals should live consistent with their biological sex. This ruling allows Bates to resume the adoption process she began in 2022.