Judge Scott Johansen was met with widespread criticism after his initial ruling.
The Utah judge that made the decision last week to take away a lesbian couples foster child has stepped down.
Although Judge Scott Johansen reversed his order to remove the baby from her foster mothers, he was met with widespread criticism and calls for his impeachment from national lgbt rights groups, community members, and the Republican governor.
April Hoagland and Beckie Peirce, the married couple raising the baby girl under recommendations from state child welfare workers, asked that the judge be disqualified before a hearing on December 4. The couple recognised that the judge could still have the baby removed from their home if he did not step down.
The initial ruling was to remove the child and place her in the care of a heterosexual couple. Johansen cited “research” as his reasoning for removing the child. The American Psychological Association has publicly stated that there is no scientific basis for the belief that same-sex couples are unfit to raise children.
The judge has been barred from speaking about any pending cases and the group Alliance for a Better Utah is putting pressure on lawmakers to remove him permanently from the bench.
Hoagland and Peirce state that they are “grateful their family is being treated equally under the law” and that they appreciate the support they’ve received across the country.
The two say their biggest concern now is taking care of their baby girl.