Christian Adoption Agency Beats New York Rule on Gay Couples

A rule by the New York Office of Children and Family Services that prohibits discrimination on the basis of a couple’s marital status or sexual identity can’t be enforced against a Christian adoption agency, a federal court in New York said.

The rule violates New Hope Family Services Inc.'s First Amendment speech rights, Judge Mae A. D’Agostino of the US District Court for the Northern District of New York said Tuesday. She issued an order permanently enjoining application of the rule to New Hope, which is a private adoption agency authorized by the state, insofar as it would compel the ...