> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# US Supreme Court rules in favour of anti-LGBTQ+ adoption agency
- URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/us-supreme-court-rules-in-favour-of-anti-lgbtq-adoption-agency/
- Published: 2021-06-19T10:39:43.000Z
- Updated: 2021-06-19T10:39:43.000Z
- Description: The US Supreme Court has ruled in favour of a Catholic adoption agency that refuses to work with LGBTQ+ couples.
- Author: Rachel Badham
- Tags: News, Politics, Human Rights Campaign, LGBTQ, Philadelphia, Same-sex parents, US, US SUpreme Court

![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/us-supreme-court-600-400.jpg)

The Supreme Court

The **US** Supreme Court has ruled in favour of a Catholic adoption agency that refuses to work with LGBTQ+ couples, after local authorities in **Philadelphia** denied the agency the opportunity to renew its contract with the city’s foster care programme. The **Catholic Social Services** (CSS) and state authorities took the case to court after an [ongoing dispute](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/update-barrett-and-supreme-court-lean-towards-catholic-agency-in-lgbtq-foster-parents-case/), and justices heard arguments on whether Philadelphia authorities have the right to enforce a non-discrimination policy for sexual orientation on CSS.

According to *[CNBC](https://www.cnbc.com/2021/06/17/supreme-court-sides-with-catholic-adoption-agency-that-refuses-to-work-with-lgbt-couples.html?ref=scenemag.co.uk)*, chief justice John Roberts argued that Philadelphia violated the First Amendment by refusing to contract with CSS, writing in the official ruling: *“The Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment, applicable to the States under the Fourteenth Amendment, provides that ‘Congress shall make no law…prohibiting the free exercise’ of religion.”* The justice acknowledged Philadelphia’s interest in *“the equal treatment”* of all foster parents, but concluded: *“This interest cannot justify denying CSS an exception for its religious exercise.”*

![](https://www.gscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/court-ruling-600-400.jpg)

Philadelphia city solicitor, **Diana Cortes**, said the court decision is a *“difficult and disappointing setback for foster care youth and the foster parents who work so hard to support them.”* However, the **Human Rights Campaign** [pointed out](https://twitter.com/HRC/status/1405650689242636293?ref=scenemag.co.uk) that the ruling did not state *“that there is a First Amendment right to turn away same-sex couples”,* adding: *“Non-discrimination laws are enforceable against all, as long as those laws are enforced in a neutral and generally applicable way.”*

Nevertheless, it said the ruling is still a *“reminder that we still have further to go to ensure that LGBTQ+ people, women, people of colour, and even people of faith are explicitly protected from discrimination under the law.”*

![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/trans-us-rights.jpg)