Originally published in the San Antonio Current. Earlier this year, the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services quietly removed and significantly altered anti-discrimination language from a document informing foster kids of their constitutional rights. Called the Foster Care Bill of Rights, this document is required by the state to be read to any child…
Texas Senate Advances Bill Allowing Adoption Agencies to Discriminate Against LGBT Parents
Originally published in the San Antonio Current In the midst of what the Governor has called a foster care “crisis” in Texas, state Senators voted to tentatively approve a bill to make it easier for religious adoption agencies to turn away prospective parents. Sen. Charles Perry’s House Bill 3859 would grant state foster care and…
SA Children’s Shelter Hosts Foster Care Presentation for LGBTs
LGBT couples and singles interested in becoming foster parents will have an opportunity to learn more about the process during a special presentation by The Children’s Shelter on May 20 at the Friendly Spot Ice House. At the event, which is co-hosted by Out In SA magazine, prospective foster parents will have an opportunity to…
Texas House Approves Bill Allowing Denial of Adoption by Same-Sex Couples
On Tuesday, May 9, the Texas House approved House Bill 3859, which would allow faith-based adoption agencies to deny placement of foster children with same-sex couples, Jews, Muslims and others based on “the provider’s sincerely held religious beliefs.” The bill, dubbed the “Freedom to Serve Children Act,” passed by a vote of 94 to 51.…
Texas House Bill Would Allow Denial of Same-Sex Couples as Foster Parents
On, Wednesday, March 29, the Texas House State Affairs Committee had a hearing on House Bill 3859 which would allow faith-based groups to deny placement of foster children with same-sex couples and others if it’s against the groups’ religious beliefs. The bill is authored by Rep. James Frank, R-Wichita Falls, vice chairman of the House…
Children’s Shelter to Host Foster Care Discussion for LGBTs
LGBT couples and singles interested in becoming foster parents will have an opportunity to learn more about the process during a special presentation at The Children’s Shelter on August 31. The event, which is co-hosted by Out In SA magazine, will feature a tour of the agency along with a foster care presentation that will…
Former Children’s Shelter Resident Blue Hess Overcomes Great Odds
Three years ago, when Blue Hess decided he would volunteer at The Children’s Shelter, he never imagined he’d become one of the nationally accredited nonprofit’s most vocal advocates — speaking regularly to local media and working with the community to help spread the word about its many services. Since its founding in 1901, The Children’s…
Transgender teens struggle in foster care
Alex lived with her family in a nice home in an affluent San Antonio suburb, where she had all the comforts and advantages that come with that life. Although she was born male, Alex identifies as a female, a revelation that led to friction with her family and her eventual estrangement from them. “My mother…