Policy / Marriage & Family

Marriage & Family Policy

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Champion God’s good design

“God has ordained the family as the foundational institution of human society.” “Marriage is the uniting of one man and one woman in covenant commitment for a lifetime.”

The Baptist Faith & Message affirms the biblical teaching of marriage and family as creation ordinances and blessings from God, foundational to human flourishing. As our nation continues to grapple with the realities of the sexual revolution and radical gender ideology, we will continue to advocate for policies that maintain God’s good design for life together.

Issues related to marriage and family

Select a policy and understand our position and actions.

Policy Center / Current Policies - Past Policies

What the ERLC is engaging in 2025

Policies of

Revoke Biden EO 13988 "Preventing and Combating Discrimination on the Basis of Gender Identity or Sexual Orientation"

Oppose Taxpayer Funding for “Gender Transition” Surgeries and Procedures

Support Proposals to Ban Harmful “Gender Transition” Surgeries and Procedures

Protect Women’s Sports

Support Parental Rights

Advocate for Pro-Family Tax Policies

Support Adoption and Foster Care Policies

Ensure Intercountry Adoption Remains a Viable Option

Support Protections for Children Online

Ensure Intercountry Adoption Remains a Viable Option

Support Adoption and Foster Care Policies

Advocate for Pro-Family Tax Policies

Support the Adoptee Citizenship Act

Support Proposals to Ban Harmful “Gender Transition” Surgeries and Procedures

Support Protections for Children Online

Support Parental Rights

Oppose Taxpayer Funding for “Gender Transition” Surgeries and Procedures

Oppose Marijuana Expansion

How to use this policy center

Use the menu to select an issue from the annual policy agenda that outlines the core public policy priorities for this Commission over the next year. Within each issue, learn more through explainers, ERLC and SBC actions, white papers, and related resources. View past annual policy agendas.

Essay

Defending women and protecting children

ERLC Senior Fellow Dr. Gregg Allison shares the theological and practical implications of President Trump’s executive orders on gender and sexuality.

REad the essay

Recent Advocacy Wins

Looking back on the ERLC’s advocacy work for Southern Baptists in 2024, we stood at the forefront of critical social, moral, and policy issues facing our world, advocating for Southern Baptists’ biblical values in the public square.

Here are a few highlights in how we have championed God’s good design for marriages and families.