Christian couple sue foster care agency for religious discrimination
A Christian couple is suing a foster care agency for religious discrimination after it rejected their application based on their beliefs.
Byron and Keira Hordyk believe that homosexuality is a sin that people can “overcome”.
The foster agency told the couple they failed the “provide a safe living environment” test as a result of their religious views.
Byron and Keira Hordyk failed the “provide safe living environment” test based on their anti-LGBTIQ beliefs.
Christian couple sue foster care agency
In 2017, the Hordyks applied to Wanslea Family Services in Western Australia to foster a child.
During the subsequent formal assessment, the agency asked the Hordyks how they’d respond to a foster child who identified as LGBTIQ.
They said that identifying as LGBTIQ is a sin, and therefore, they would help the child “overcome” it.
The agency subsequently rejected the application.
It told the Hordyks that their beliefs meant they couldn’t “provide a safe living environment”.
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Equal Opportunity Commission dismissed case
The couple subsequently filed a complaint in the state’s Equal Opportunity Commission.
However, the Commission dismissed the complaint on the basis that it “lacked substance”.
The Hordyks then took their complaint to the State Administrative Tribunal.
The couple argued the foster care agency breached the state’s Equal Opportunity Act by discriminating against them on the basis of religious belief.
They describe the requirements imposed by Wanslea as “unreasonable” and further, they claim the agency made no reasonable attempt to accommodate them.
Gets idea of sexuality from bible
Mr Hordyk, who admits he gets his ideas about human sexuality from the bible, told The West Australian:
“We do feel we have been discriminated against.
“[We] also we felt that if we were quiet about this and didn’t say anything about it, it could potentially harm or limit any people with the same Christian values as ours from fostering.
“We stated it from the beginning. We’re not here to hide behind it. Everyone — particularly with a divisive issue — is afraid of being put into the realm of public opinion in a negative light.
“And my beliefs are strong enough that this might be my cross to bear.”
Safety must come first
Industrial advocate Miles Heffernan said child safety must come first.
“Religious people can do enormous damage to the mental health of young people who identify as LGBTIQ,” he said.
“What does this couple mean by suggesting they will help a gay kid ‘overcome’ who they are?
Mr Heffernan noted many state governments are banning conversion therapy in Australia because it is so dangerous.
“This couple’s understanding of human sexuality is eye-wateringly ignorant,” he said.
“Which is hardly surprising, considering they get it from a book written by people who didn’t know where the sun went at night.
“The Hordyks present a clear and present danger to any foster child who identifies as LGBTIQ.
“Therefore, this is not about discrimination, rather, it is about the protection of at-risk and vulnerable children.
“LGBTIQ foster children have the right to be protected from such ignorant and potentially dangerous people.”
The tribunal has a hearing scheduled next month.
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