Christian minister barred from juvenile detention center for refusing to sign form agreeing not to call homosexuality 'sinful'

David Wells has never been asked to sign such a form before.

Kentucky Department of Juvenile Justice detention center is being accused of unconstitutional action  by a Christian minister after its officials reportedly repealed his volunteer prison status because of his denial to comply with an LGBT policy.

MUNTINLUPA, PHILIPPINES (Catholic Online) - According to a complaint letter that was sent to the Department of Juvenile Justice by the Liberty Counsel, David Wells - who voluntarily counseled young prisoners through a ministry at Pleasant View Baptist Church in McQuady, Kentucky - was reportedly banned from the Warren County Regional Juvenile Detention Center "because he could not sign a state-mandated statement that homosexuality was not 'sinful, 'among other things.'"

Wells was reportedly banned as of July 7, 2015, from counseling, visiting and leading worship services at the detention center. It was reported that the church has been active in the center for 13 years without any previous problems.

The form is a requirement based on juvenile justice regulations that entail volunteers to promise not to tell LGBT juveniles that they are sinful, or that they can change their orientation.

"DJJ staff, volunteers, interns, and contractors, in the course of their work, shall not refer to juveniles by using derogatory language in a manner that conveys bias towards or hatred of the LGBTQI community," the regulations accord. "DJJ staff, volunteers, interns, and contractors shall 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."

Stacy Floden, the director of communications and program services for the Department of Juvenile Justice stated that her agency aims to protect young people, regardless of their sexual orientation. "These requirements foster an open and inclusive culture within the department's programs and ensure that youth in custody are free from harassment by other others based upon their sexual orientation," Floden stated.

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