Orange City, Iowa — A Michigan-based organization with a location in Orange City that helps match babies to adoptive parents will soon start helping same-sex couples adopt babies too.
Bethany Christain Services sent out the nationwide policy this past week. Previously the unofficial policy when a same-sex couple contacted Bethany, was for the faith-based organization to refer the couple to another agency.
The unofficial referral policy for same-sex couples was turning into a stumbling block for Bethany in the wake of a number of states and municipalities implementing rules that agencies accept applications from LGBTQ couples to maintain their government contracts.
A statement from Bethany says they will “…implement a nationwide policy of inclusivity, in order to serve all families.” Bethany officials say the policy is being put in place to help as many kids as possible.
Bethany’s President and CEO Chris Palusky says, “For the past 75 years, Bethany Christian Services has never wavered from our mission of demonstrating the love and compassion of Jesus to children and families. We help families stay together, we reunify families who are separated, and we help vulnerable children find safe, stable homes when they cannot remain in their own.” He also says, “These days, families look a lot different than they did when we started, and Bethany is committed to welcoming and serving all of them.”
