American Family Association Action (AFA Action), is a non-profit 501(c)(4) organization dedicated to advancing biblical, family values in society and government by educating and influencing public policy. AFA Action is also the Governmental Affairs Affiliate of American Family Association (AFA).
TUPELO, Miss. — After upholding their religious beliefs on gender identity, Christian couple Lydia and Heath Marvin from Woburn, Massachusetts, were stripped of their foster care license. Having fostered eight children since 2020, the Marvins decided that they wanted to do foster care “because it’s a key part of being Christian to care for those who are most in need, like orphans.” In August of 2024, they received a new parent agreement asking them to agree to support and affirm the LGBTQIA+ identity of children under their supervision. According to FOX News, “The Marvins asked for an accommodation or waiver from the state, citing their Christian beliefs about gender and sexuality,” but were denied.
According to Walker Wildmon, CEO of AFA Action, the governmental affairs affiliate of the American Family Association, Massachusetts’ ruling on the Marvins’ case is one of religious discrimination and child abuse.
“Revoking a family’s foster license for their faith is a clear act of religious discrimination,” said Wildmon. “States across the country are begging for foster parents to love and care for the growing number of children in need of homes. Lydia and Heath Marvin provided a safe, loving environment — they simply refused to lie to children in their care. Massachusetts has made it clear that it does not want loving homes for vulnerable children; it wants indoctrinating ones. Forcing families to violate their beliefs and keeping children in need out of stable homes to advance false gender ideology is not child protection, it’s child abuse.”
AFA Action is a non-profit 501(c)(4) organization dedicated to advancing biblical family values in society and government by shaping public policy through education and advocacy. The mission of AFA Action is to inform and mobilize individuals to strengthen the biblical foundations of America by persuading individuals with the truth of the Gospel, challenging the lost to repent, promoting societal values that are consistent with Scripture, restraining evil and exposing the works of darkness, motivating people to take a stand on cultural and moral issues, and encouraging Christians to bear witness to the world the love of Jesus Christ. Find AFA Action Alerts here.
For more information on the American Family Association, visit www.afa.net or follow AFA on Facebook or X.
For more information on AFA Action, visit www.afaaction.net or follow AFA Action on Facebook or X.
To interview an AFA or AFA Action spokesperson, contact [email protected] or Beth Bogucki, 610.584.1096, ext. 105, Dawn Foglein, ext. 100, or Daniel Moyer, ext. 104.
AFA Action is a non-profit 501(c)(4) organization dedicated to advancing biblical, family values in society and government by educating and influencing public policy. AFA Action is also the Governmental Affairs Affiliate of American Family Association.