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A devout Christian couple who believe homosexuality is a sin have taken legal action, claiming a foster group discriminated against them due to their religious beliefs.
A Perth couple who believe homosexuality is a sin that can be resisted and overcome claim they have been discriminated against by a foster organisation based on their religious beliefs.
Byron and Keira Hordyk are devout Christians and have children of their own.
But their application to become foster parents through Wanslea Family Services in 2017 was terminated after they were questioned about their LGBTQI views and it was determined they could not provide a safe living environment.
They have taken their case to the State Administrative Tribunal, arguing they were discriminated against under WA’s Equal Opportunity Act.
In a lengthy opening address on Tuesday, barrister Steven Penglis said the organisation could have matched the couple with an appropriate child.
“There’s an acknowledgment within Wanslea’s own documents that not one size fits all … not one foster parent would fit all foster children,” he said.
“What we say has happened here is that … a view was expressed by the Hordyks and very firmly held, we don’t dissolve from that … (but) those views ought not to have ended the process.”
Mr Penglis said the couple had applied to care for children up to the age of five “on a temporary basis”.
“They wanted to give respite,” he said.
The couple declined to comment to reporters outside the tribunal.
The hearing is set down for eight days.
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