Baptist Homes and state settle contract dispute
Children’s home retains policy not to hire homosexuals, ACLU plans to sue progress with
increased fervor
From, The Kentucky Citizen Digest, January/February, 2001.

The Kentucky Baptist Homes for Children (KBHC) has remained strong in its stand not to compromise a policy it believes helps them provide the best care for the children it mentors. And now, after three months of debate with the state of Kentucky concerning whether or not the state would pull its funding because of KBHC’s rule not to hire homosexuals, the group’s perseverance has paid off.

Not only has Gov. Paul Patton agreed to renew KBHC’s contract with Kentucky, ensuring that state funds will continue and 300 children will not be left without a home, but he has agreed to do so even while allowing KBHC to retain its hiring policy that began the controversy in the first place.

“We’ve not changed our position,” said Bill Smithwick, president of KBHC. “It seems that the governor, to his credit, listened to the voices of the hundreds of citizens from across the state asking him to not succumb to the politically correct pressure being asserted.”

The new contract between KBHC and Patton requires that the group reimburse the state for expenses incurred due to lawsuits pertaining to the employment policy, as the government itself does not utilize this restriction in hiring. This compromise marks progress in the relationship between the state and private organizations.

It was the Kentucky chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) that took issue with KBHC’s employment practices in April, forcing Kentucky to question whether giving state funds to an organization with a policy not to hire gays was appropriate.  “But what has been driving this thrust is the pro-gay agenda of a small group within the state welfare system,” said Smithwick.

KBHC fired Alicia Pedreira, a social worker for the organization, in 1998 after she was seen actively promoting the gay lifestyle. Her admitted homosexuality stands in opposition with the group’s goal of counseling children regarding healthy sexual lifestyles. In response to the ACLU’s criticism, Smithwick stated, “We are operating within local, state and federal laws and provide excellent care for all children referred to our agency. Therefore, we will vigorously defend the practices of our agency for the good of Kentucky’s children.”

In Patton’s contract negotiations with KBHC, both decided the state would take a hands-off approach to the organization’s hiring.

The withdrawal of state funds would not only have displaced 300 children, but KBHC would have had to cut its number of staff in half.

In spite of the fact that the state and KBHC have answered any questions the threat of suit raised and have renewed their contract, the ACLU’s suit looms ever closer.  Only now, as a result of the renewed contract, any legal action taken would not only be against KBHC, but the state as well.

Kentuckians, however, have applauded KBHC’s decision to stick to what it believes is best for the 360 children it cares for.

Smithwick said the organization has never received any negative complaints about its treatment of children and teens with sexual identity issues. The organization’s practices in that area have been reviewed by state professionals and found to be clinically sound.

As for now, Kentucky and KBHC are watching and waiting to see what will happen next.   Some observers have stated that they think the ACLU won’t make a bad name for itself by carrying out an action that would mean the disruption of so many children’s lives.

Jeffrey Vessels, executive director of the ACLU’s Kentucky chapter, said the group plans to follow through with the lawsuit, though a hearing date for the case has not yet been determined.
 
 

Key Family Foundation Contacts: Kent Ostrander, Executive Director Martin Cothran, Senior Associate Policy Analyst