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Nessel settles same sex adoption lawsuit

LANSING, MI (MPRN)--   The state of Michigan has promised to make sure adoption and foster agencies that receive state money do not discriminate against same sex couples. 

Attorney General Dana Nessel announced a settlement in an ongoing federal lawsuit between the state and same sex couples. The couples tried to adopt through an agency that contracts with the state, but they were denied services because of their sexual orientation. The agency cited religious beliefs.

Nessel said in a video statement once agencies accept a contract with the state, they cannot turn someone away because of their sexual orientation.

“This settlement helps place children in loving homes and helps Michiganders complete their families,” she said.

Becket Law represented St. Vincent Catholic Charities – a faith-based adoption agency involved in the lawsuit. It says Nessel is going against state law that protects those types of agencies.

Before becoming the newest Capitol reporter for the Michigan Public Radio Network, Cheyna Roth was an attorney. She spent her days fighting it out in court as an assistant prosecuting attorney for Ionia County. Eventually, Cheyna took her investigative and interview skills and moved on to journalism. She got her masters at Michigan State University and was a documentary filmmaker, podcaster, and freelance writer before finding her home with NPR. Very soon after joining MPRN, Cheyna started covering the 2016 presidential election, chasing after Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton, and all their surrogates as they duked it out for Michigan. Cheyna also focuses on the Legislature and criminal justice issues for MPRN. Cheyna is obsessively curious, a passionate storyteller, and an occasional backpacker. Follow her on Twitter at @Cheyna_R