Babets v. Johnston
Babets v. Johnston was a landmark Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court case that affirmed the rights of same-sex couples to adopt children. Background Don Babets and David Jean were a gay couple living together in Massachusetts. In 1984 the pair applied with the state Department of Social Services to become foster parents. The state began a lengthy evaluation process, including a detailed background check, conversations with their friends and colleagues, and consultation with the pair's priest. The placement was approved in April 1985 and Babets and Jean became foster parents to two children, who were brothers. The placement was approved by both the state and the children's biological mother. On May 8, 1985, The Boston Globe ran an article alleging community opposition to the two becoming foster parents. One day later, on May 9, the state removed the children from their household. Massachusetts Governor Michael Dukakis initiated a policy review to determine whether gay couples should be allowed to be foster parents while Philip Johnston, the head of human services, started his own review. The policy reviews resulted in the state adopting a slate of new rules relating to foster parenting, including that children only be placed in "traditional family settings,"