The Boy Scouts of America are reconsidering their long-standing ban on gay scout leaders. It is a topic expected to be discussed at next week’s convention in Texas. In an email to Reuters, a BSA spokesperson said:
The Boy Scouts of America are reconsidering their long-standing ban on gay scout leaders. It is a topic expected to be discussed at next week’s convention in Texas. In an email to Reuters, a BSA spokesperson said:
“The policy change under discussion would allow the religious, civic or educational organizations that oversee and deliver Scouting to determine how to address this issue.”
The Supreme Court upheld the Boy Scouts ban on gay leaders in 2000; but recently at least two board members are working to change the policy from within.
Churches, right wing organizations and individuals are weighing in with their disapproval, with some Southern Baptists ministers suggesting they will start to sponsor other boys organizations. And yesterday Chuck Norris penned a letter railing against BSA board member James Turley, Chairman and CEO of Ernst and Yonge—and friend of Obama—who is pushing to open up the organization. Norris states the White House has likely “prodded [Turley] with perks and favors.”
The spokesman said that the organization is not reconsidering its ban on atheists.