Utah judge reverses decision, lets lesbian couple keep foster child

An LGBT flag in front of The Salt Lake Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

(Image credit: George Frey/Getty Images)

published 13 November 2015

Utah judge Scott Johansen reversed his order Friday and will now allow a married lesbian couple to keep their foster child. Johansen had ordered Tuesday that the child, a 9-month-old girl, be removed from the couple's home because of their sexual orientation and be placed with a heterosexual couple instead.

Johansen's revised statement omits both the claim that "it is not in the best interest of children to be raised by same-sex couples" and the order that the child be placed with a heterosexual couple. Still, the order maintains that children are "more emotionally and mentally stable when raised by a mother and father in the same home."