Here’s a situation we wouldn’t see here in the U.S.: A couple in the U.K. was refused permission to become foster parents after they told a panel that their [Christian] belief would prevent them from addressing a child’s homosexuality in a positive light.” The panel rejected their application, citing the recent Sexual Orientation Act that forbids businesses or organizations providing public services to discriminate because of anyone’s sexuality.

This is a tough one. I am vehement that schools teach tolerance for those of all sexual orientations and gender identities. At the same time, I’d support parents’ right to teach their children privately that homosexuality is morally wrong, much as I abhor the thought of them doing so. (I’d draw the line, though, if they were inciting their children to acts of harassment or violence. That would have to be stopped.)

Is this couple’s situation clouded by the fact that they are foster parents, however, and the children are ultimately overseen by a public authority? Is it acceptable for a foster care agency to say “We can’t always predict which children will come out as LGBT, so we can’t risk placing any children with someone who would view that as a negative, causing emotional harm to such children”? I’d be interested in hearing foster parents’ views on the subject.