A Christian minister in Kentucky was dismissed from his counseling position at a juvenile facility on July 7 after his refusal to sign a form that stated homosexuality is not a sin. The policy, instituted last year, requires that Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) staff, volunteers, and interns "not imply or tell LGBTQI juveniles that they are abnormal, deviant, sinful or that they can or should change their sexual orientation or gender identity."
David Wells provided volunteer counseling to young prisoners at a youth prison. Wells was required to sign a form "promising to refrain from telling any juvenile inmates that homosexuality was 'sinful'" according to Liberty Counsel, a nonprofit organization that advocates for religious freedom. Upon his refusal to comply, Wells received a letter from the Superintendent of the prison, Gene Wade, informing him of his dismissal, which read: "I must terminate your involvement as a religious volunteer serving the youth in this facility per DJJ Policy 112, Section IV, Paragraph H, (8)."
As of July 7, the minister has been banned from making visits to the prison, counseling, and leading worship services at the detention center.
Liberty Counsel sent a letter of complaint to Kentucky DJJ commissioner Bob Hayter demanding that Wells and other ministers be brought back by the end of July, according to a statement.
Mat Staver, founder of Liberty Counsel, calls the dismissal "unconstitutional" and that the juvenile center cannot "prohibit the expression of biblical morality simply because a few DJJ policymakers object to the Bible and its teaching."
"Many juveniles are in DJJ custody because of sexual crimes. David Wells must be able to discuss what the Bible says about matters of sexuality with the juveniles he is trying to help," said Staver, in a statement.
Stacy Floden, director of communications and program services at DJJ, defended the policy, saying that it is a measure that "seeks to protect the rights of all youth in its care and custody regardless of sexual orientation or committing offense."
"Such protections are rooted in the federal requirements of the Prison Rape Elimination Act, 28 C.F.R. 115, which require a zero-tolerance policy against any form of sexual abuse or harassment by staff, volunteers, or contractors," Floden told WorldNetDaily in a statement.
