(The Lion) — A Christian couple in Woburn, Massachusetts, lost their foster care license after refusing to agree to a state policy requiring parents to affirm a foster child’s so-called gender identity and expression.

Lydia and Heath Marvin said the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families (DCF) informed them in April that the state would not renew their license because they declined to sign the statement.

“We were told you must sign the form as is or you will be delicensed,” Lydia Marvin told WBZ-TV. “We will absolutely love and support and care for any child in our home, but we simply can’t agree to go against our Christian faith in this area.”

The Marvins, who have three biological children, began fostering in 2020 and have cared for eight children under age 4, many of whom had medical needs. Their home was equipped with cribs, play areas and baby monitors to help care for the children.

“Every night for 15 months, we were up at least three times,” Lydia Marvin said. “We certainly thought we would have young children in our home for … we didn’t know how long, but we were not done.”

Heath Marvin said their faith motivates them to foster.

“[The Book of James] says that true, undefiled religion is to care for the fatherless,” he said.

A DCF spokesperson told the Boston Globe the agency works “in partnership with foster parents to understand a child’s trauma and to meet their physical and emotional needs by providing safe, consistent, and supportive relationships to thrive.”

The couple’s DCF social worker previously described them as “uniquely dedicated.”

However, their appeal to keep their license was denied.

“Now it seems like there’s no path forward,” Lydia Marvin said. “We weren’t done having young children.”

Federal officials have criticized the state’s actions.

“These policies and developments are deeply troubling, clearly contrary to the purpose of child welfare programs, and in direct violation of First Amendment protections,” wrote Andrew Gradison, the Trump administration’s acting assistant secretary for the Administration for Children and Families.

Two other Bay State Christian families have joined a federal lawsuit against DCF, represented by the Massachusetts Family Institute and Alliance Defending Freedom, alleging the state’s policy violates their religious liberty.

The Marvins said they are considering their legal options.