A state-contracted, taxpayer-funded child placing agency sued the State of Michigan claiming a constitutional right to discriminate against prospective foster and adoptive families headed by same-sex couples in violation of State contracts. The ACLU, representing prospective adoptive parents Kristy and Dana Dumont, is seeking to intervene in this lawsuit in support of the State.

Attorneys for the ACLU and ACLU of Michigan filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court to challenge the state’s practice of permitting state-funded child placement agencies to use religious criteria to turn away lesbian and gay prospective foster and adoptive parents. The legislature passed a law in 2015 with the purpose of codifying that practice.

On March 12, 2018, the ACLU and the ACLU of Michigan moved to intervene on the behalf of Stand with Trans and the Williamston High School Gay-Straight Alliance. Stand with Trans is a non-profit organization in Michigan with support groups around the state serving and empowering the families of transgender youth. The Williamston GSA is a student-led organization for LGBT students and allies at Williamston High School. Both organizations are committed to ensuring LGBT students have safe, non-discriminatory environments in which to go to school.