A federal judge says St. Vincent Catholic Charities and other faith-based adoption agencies with state contracts can refuse to place children with same sex couples while a lawsuit is pending.
A federal judge ruled late Thursday against Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel.
In March, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and the ACLU of Michigan announced a settlement to resolve a suit filed by lesbian couples who alleged they had been turned away. As part of that settlement she said that the state would no longer issue contracts to agencies, like St. Vincent Catholic Charities, because she says they discriminate against same sex couples.
St. Vincent Catholic Charities says their sincerely held religious beliefs bar them from working with same sex couples, and that when same sex couples approach them, the organization refers them elsewhere.
The judge ruled St. Vincent can continue its adoption services while this case is being litigated.
He also criticized Nessel for targeting St. Vincent based on its religious beliefs.
