Boy Scouts Puts Off Vote on Gay Membership Policy

By: YUNFEI WANG
(photo credit google images)

(GAINESVILLE, Ga.) The executive board of the Boy Scouts of America has delayed its vote on whether to lift its outright ban on homosexual scouts and troop leaders.

The board, having been expected to vote Wednesday on a proposal, put off the decision due to “the complexity of this issue.” The proposal was planned to ease the longstanding ban on gays by allowing sponsors of local troops to decide for themselves.

The decision will be made at the organization’s annual meeting in May. According to the board, about 1,400 members of the group’s national council will participate in that gathering.

The decision disappointed critics who had hoped to see the organization to end its ban.
“Every day that the Boy Scouts of America delay action is another day that discrimination prevails,” said Human Rights Campaign President Chad Griffin. “Now is the time for action. Young Americans, gay and straight, are hurt by the inaction associated with today’s news. The BSA leadership should end this awful policy once and for all, and open the proud tradition of Scouting to all.”

Conservative groups and some religious groups have argued against making any change, saying it will dilute the Boy Scouts message of morality and potentially destroy the organization.

About 70 percent of all Scout units are sponsored by religious denominations, including many by conservative faiths that have supported the ban, including the Roman Catholic Church, the Southern Baptist Convention and the Mormon Church.