Mazzoni Center Response to the Supreme Court Decision
Mazzoni Center Response to the Supreme Court Decision
Today's Fulton decision is a sad loss for Philadelphians. The ruling requires the City to pay Catholic Social Services even though the agency discriminates against LGBTQ couples. Every LGBTQ adult, coupled or not, carries scars from childhood bias. The foster care system tries to help traumatized youth - a necessary and challenging responsibility. Philadelphia's rule protects children against discriminatory bias and further trauma. But the ruling allows other government agencies to impose nondiscrimination requirements. And it offers Philadelphia a map to fix its problem. It's not clear why Philadelphia offered an exemption in its contracts. As the Court notes, Philadelphia apparently never granted such an exemption - to anyone. Nor should it. We urge the City to remove the exemption and ensure that City funds go to foster care agencies that serve all Philadelphians.