A 202-year-old Bible company in Philadelphia will require that employees agree to not have sex outside of marriage or resign.

The American Bible Society, is a non-profit that translates and distributes Bibles. The company defines marriage as between a man and a woman. Therefore LGBT couples and sexually active heterosexual employees would be forced to leave.

ADVERTISEMENT

President and CEO Roy Peterson wrote in a statement to Religion News: “We did this because we believe a staff made up of people with a deep and personal connection to the Bible will bring unity and clarity as we continue our third century of ministry.”

Peterson continued: “We understand there are differing views on these matters. This decision does not signal intent to advocate or champion any cause other than increased engagement with the Bible.”

So far nine people have quit, and the new policy will take effect in January 2019.

Jeremy Gimbel, 34, has worked for the company for 10 years. Gimbel is openly gay, and said it’s sad that he has to leave.

“I was very happy where I was,” Gimbel said. “I loved the team I worked with. I loved what I was doing. It was hard to come to terms with the fact that I was being forced out after nearly 10 years of my life.”