Nebraska Ban on LGBT Foster Parents to End

A Nebraska policy that prevents gays and lesbians from adopting children or serving as foster parents is unconstitutional, the Nebraska Supreme Court affirmed April 7 (Stewart v. Heineman, 2017 BL 114901, Neb., 16-018, 4/7/17).

The court’s holding will allow gay and lesbian individuals and couples to be evaluated for foster care or adoption under the same standard—the best interests of the child—as heterosexual individuals and couples, starting immediately.

Here, three same-sex couples sued the governor and various state agencies, alleging an administrative memo that stated that “children will not be placed in the homes of persons who identify ...