Ahead of a churchwide weekend conference, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ( also known as Mormons ), on April 4, announced changes to two policies affecting LGBTQ church members and their families, The Idaho Statesman reported.
In a news release, the church said it would allow children of LGBTQ parents to be baptized and blessed in the church. The church will also update its handbook to no longer categorize same-sex marriage as an act of abandonment of the church and its values.
The changes will take effect immediately.
In a statement, The Trevor Project Head of Advocacy & Government Affairs Sam Brinton said, ""The Trevor Project welcomes any faith group's public commitment to treat the LGBTQ community fairly and equally, and this statement by the LDS Church to change course is a move in the right direction that will make a real difference in the lives of LGBTQ Mormons.
"We hear from LGBTQ young people in crisis every day who struggle to reconcile being part of both the LGBTQ and faith communities, and decisions to end policies of exclusion can help LGBTQ youth feel seen, loved, and less alone." The Trevor Project provides crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to LGBTQ young people under 25.
The full article is at www.idahostatesman.com/living/religion/article228826749.html .