Today, HRC Foundation released the following statement in response to the news from the First Presidency, the governing body of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, that the Church will reverse its controversial 2015 policy that deemed same-sex couples and marriage equality “apostasy” and effectively blocked children of LGBTQ parents from joining the Church.

“In this reversal, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has taken an important step forward,” said HRC President Chad Griffin. “There’s still work to do but this policy reversal is a very welcome change that moves the church closer to a day where LGBTQ Mormons can see themselves affirmed and included within their faith community.”

The new policies, effective immediately, state that marriage equality will no longer be treated as apostasy, children of LGBTQ Mormon parents may be baptized and children of LGBTQ parents who are not members of the church may be blessed. The church still considers marriage between people of the same sex a “serious transgression.”

HRC commends the work of Affirmation: LGBTQ Mormons, Families & Friends, other LGBTQ Mormons and allies as they lead the charge and continue to advocate for full inclusion.

To learn more about how the HRC Foundation’s Religion & Faith Program is helping to build a world in which nobody is forced to choose between who they are, who they love and what they believe, go to hrc.org/religion.