A major legal defeat for Washington state’s gender ideology policies is being celebrated by Christian advocacy groups after officials agreed they can no longer deny foster parent licenses solely because of religious beliefs about gender and sexuality.
The case centered on Shane DeGross and Jennifer DeGross, a Christian couple who spent years battling the Washington Department of Children, Youth and Families after the agency allegedly attempted to force them to affirm transgender ideology as a condition for continuing to foster children.
The dispute began after the state informed the DeGross family that their foster care license renewal would require them to agree to use preferred pronouns and affirm gender-transition concepts involving foster children placed in their home.
The family refused, arguing the demand violated their Christian beliefs and First Amendment rights.
The legal battle escalated into federal court, where U.S. District Judge David Estudillo ultimately sided with the family and issued a permanent injunction against the state.
Under the ruling, Washington officials are now prohibited from denying or restricting foster care licenses solely because applicants hold religious beliefs involving marriage, gender or sexuality.
“DCYF is prohibited from denying foster family home license applicants, or licensed foster parents seeking renewal of their license, a full license consistent with the requests of the applicant/licensee or attaching any conditions or restrictions to the license solely because of their religious beliefs,” the injunction states.
The decision represents a significant setback for progressive gender policies inside Washington’s foster care system and a major victory for religious liberty advocates.
The DeGross family had reportedly served as foster parents for nearly nine years before the conflict erupted in 2022.
After negotiations with the state failed, they sued in 2024 with assistance from Alliance Defending Freedom, one of the nation’s most prominent Christian legal groups.
ADF senior counsel Johannes Widmalm-Delphonse said the lawsuit was never about hostility toward transgender individuals but rather about protecting constitutional rights while still allowing loving families to care for vulnerable children.
“We’re going to have disagreements about gender ideology and the truth about how God created us male and female,” Widmalm-Delphonse said.
“That wasn’t the purpose of this lawsuit.”
“The purpose was, despite these differences, can DCYF pursue a big tent strategy that’s both in line with the First Amendment of the Constitution and that will promote children’s best interest to make sure every child has a loving home?”
The state ultimately agreed to settle the case and will reportedly pay approximately $250,000 in legal fees as part of the resolution.
Washington state Rep. Travis Couture (R) blasted the state’s original position as unconstitutional government coercion.
“They’re not even asking them, but actually they are by the force of government, like a gun to your head, telling you that you will affirm the pronouns, or you can’t be a foster parent,” Couture said. “I’m glad they lost, but sad that it ever occurred.”
ADF also emphasized that the ruling allows religious families to continue participating in foster care without abandoning deeply held beliefs.
“As Christians, Shane and Jenn believe that God created each person either male or female and that sex cannot be changed,” the organization stated. “Their Christian beliefs inform their view that people should live consistent with God’s design.”
The case arrives as similar legal battles continue unfolding across the country involving conflicts between religious liberty protections and expanding transgender policies in schools, foster systems and government agencies, per the Western Journal.
For now, however, Washington state officials have formally backed down, marking what conservatives are calling one of the most significant court defeats yet for state-enforced gender ideology requirements.
