A bill that would prohibit religious discrimination against adoption agencies has advanced in the Iowa Senate. The conservative Christian groups that support the bill say it’s needed to protect those who run adoption agencies from having to violate their own religious beliefs. That would include being able to deny adoption or foster placements to same-sex couples. Becky Strope-Boggus of Des Moines says her adopted daughter was abused by her father and was very afraid of all men.

Other L-G-B-T-Q parents at the subcommittee hearing Thursday said there’s a shortage of foster parents in Iowa, and the state should be welcoming to all potential foster families.