Oklahoma City--In response to the following announcement by the YMCA of Greater Oklahoma City that it is amending its family membership policy to be more inclusive and better reflect its membership and the diverse community it serves, the ACLU of Oklahoma and The Equality Network both issued statements.

Excerpt from email announcing YMCA of Greater Oklahoma City announcing policy change: “The YMCA OF GREATER OKLAHOMA CITY recognizes that a diverse and inclusive organization is foundational to developing and engaging everyone in the community. After many months of reviewing the current membership policy, on Thursday, May 29, 2014, a recommendation was made to the YMCA OF GREATER OKLAHOMA CITY’s board of directors that the current “family membership” category be replaced with a new category, classified as “household membership”. The board approved the recommendation, which identifies a household membership as 2 adults and children through 23 years of age living in the same household.”

The following is attributable to Ryan Kiesel, Executive Director, ACLU of Oklahoma: The YMCA is an organization founded upon principles of inclusion and decency, and its story is forever linked with the struggle to break down barriers of discrimination and bigotry, even as others were still erecting them. Today’s decision to adopt a policy inclusive of all families is consistent with that history and the ACLU of Oklahoma applauds their leadership.

The following statement is attributable to Troy Stevenson, Executive Director, TEN - The Equality Network: The Equality Network would like to applaud the YMCA of Greater Oklahoma City for amending their membership policies to be inclusive of all Oklahoma City families. We thank their board and staff for being cooperative and thoughtful during this process. This is a great step toward for a more fair and inclusive Oklahoma.