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Nebraska court rules to end ban on LGBT foster parents

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OMAHA, Neb. — The Nebraska Supreme Court has upheld a decision that will end a ban on same-sex couples become foster parents, reports CNN.

Since 1995, gay couples haven't been allowed to become licensed foster parents in the state. The court compared it to a sign reading 'whites only' on a hiring office door.

A lawsuit was filed in 2013 by three same-sex couples as well as the ACLU of Nebraska, the ACLU LGBT and HIV Project, and the law firm of Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, reported CNN.

In 2015, a judge ordered the Department of Health and Human Services to license gay and lesbians as foster parents, but the state appealed the decision.

"This is a victory for children and LGBT Nebraskans. There are tens of thousands of LGBT people who call the Cornhusker State home and thousands of Nebraska children in need of a foster care placement," said ACLU of Nebraska Executive Director Danielle Conrad in a statement.