In partnership with Keshet, this “Call With Us!” session will focus on S.3279, the John Lewis Every Child Deserves a Family Act and what’s at stake for religious freedom, church–state separation, and civil rights.

Children deserve safe, loving homes—and families deserve to be treated equally under the law. Yet in many states, taxpayer-funded agencies can refuse to work with LGBTQ+ parents and others, citing religious beliefs.

This legislation would “prohibit discrimination on the basis of religion, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), and marital status in the administration and provision of child welfare services,” helping ensure that all qualified families can provide safe, loving homes. It also raises a fundamental constitutional question: can federally funded systems be used to privilege one religious view of family while excluding others?

As noted in a press release from Kirsten Gillibrand, the bill would prohibit discrimination by federally funded child welfare agencies and improve outcomes for LGBTQ+ youth, including establishing a National Resource Center and banning harmful practices like conversion therapy.

We’ll connect the dots between this legislation and the broader rise of Christian Nationalist-driven policies that seek to redefine “religious liberty” as a license to discriminate. Then we’ll break down what’s at stake for children, families, and church–state separation—and help you take action by calling your members of Congress during the program.