"Kenny" is a 15-year-old who was removed from his biological family seven years ago due to unsuitable living conditions. He's been a ward of the state of Illinois ever since, bouncing around the foster care system. He's been through numerous foster families and group homes. His most recent group home experience was disastrous; he was bullied incessantly, and decided life would be safer on the streets.

"Kenny" was soon in touch with Lutheran Child Family Services of Illinois. The organization was trying to find "Kenny" a more suitable home. And it looked like they had found that, with the household of Fred Steinhauer and Matt Nalett, a Chicago gay couple. Nalett regularly attends meetings in the city's Boystown area with a teenage homeless group, which is where he first came into contact with "Kenny." The 15-year-old is now coming to terms with his sexual orientation, and now identifies as gay.

Having interacted with "Kenny" in the youth group, Steinhauer and Nalett were in touch with Lutheran Child Family Services about becoming foster parents to him. They passed a home inspection. They met with state child welfare workers and "Kenny's" therapist. And they cleared all background checks. But just before the foster parent situation could be finalized, Lutheran Child Family Services balked. Why?

Because they have a policy that says they won't place children, no matter how vulnerable, into foster families where the parents are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender. Apparently, they'd much rather see kids out on the streets.

What's more is that Lutheran Child Family Services receives nearly $20 million from Illinois taxpayers to provide a service for the state. Shouldn't the organization be expected to serve all Illinois residents if it's going to take money like this?

Send a message to Lutheran Child Family Services letting them know that gay foster parents are better than keeping kids homeless. Their policy is hurting kids, and it's a huge disservice to the entire state of Illinois.