Jessica Bates, a widowed mother and devout Christian, is now free to apply as an adoptive parent in Oregon—WITHOUT promising to take kids to pride parades, give them cross-sex hormones, or use inaccurate pronouns. That’s the result of a legal settlement @ADFLegal has now finalized with state officials. It comes after our landmark victory for Jessica at the 9th Circuit last year. Jessica’s case marked an important legal turning point. For years, ADF has been litigating against a wave of blue states pushing Christians—and others who can’t affirm gender ideology—out of foster care and adoption. Jessica, who originally hoped to adopt a sibling pair out of Oregon’s overwhelmed foster system, was barred from doing so because the state put gender ideology first. Jessica could have quietly accepted defeat. But she believed God had called her to adopt—and she knew injustice when she saw it. Kids in foster care don’t need pride parades or hormone shots. They need loving families. So with our help, she stood up against Oregon in court—and her victory at the 9th Circuit was the first of its kind. It’s helping turn the tide not just in Oregon, but other states as well. Since winning Bates, we’ve seen similar policies rolled back in Massachusetts, Washington, and Vermont. All thanks to Jessica’s courage. I’m thrilled she can finally realize the call to adopt that started it all.