Boy Scouts of America votes to end ban on gay adults

[Xithras]

Source: BBC News

The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) has unanimously approved a resolution to end the organisation's ban on gay adults working as leaders. The group's National Executive Board will meet to ratify the resolution on 27 July, the Boy Scouts said in a statement. It is a major step towards ending a policy that has caused deep rifts in the group, which was set up in 1910. The BSA voted to end a ban on allowing open gay boys to become scouts in 2013.

Read more: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-33516801

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This is excellent news for those of us who have fought for years to make the BSA more inclusive. As a former scout leader, former OA Brotherhood member, and the parent of an Eagle Scout, this decision makes all the years of arguing and fighting worthwhile.

Now, let's see if the Catholic and LDS troops really flee like they said they would, or if they accept the new ruling the same way they ultimately did when gay Scouts were given access to the program a couple of years ago.

[uppityperson]

1. Good, about time. nt

[Wellstone ruled]

2. Going to piss off alot of those Back

ass ward folks in Utah,Idaho,and Arizona. Orin Hatch and Mike Lee will have to sue Mr.Obama cause they think it is a State's rights or Religious issue not covered under the Constitution. Let the whining begin.

[randys1]

3. Fantastic and about time

[Gothmog]

4. Yeah-this is great news for those who have been working to change this policy

I used to be more involved with BSA but my son aged out a long time ago. There are a large number of people who have been working inside the BSA to change this stupid policy. I am so glad to see this policy changed

[Gothmog]

5. As I understand it, the policy is to alllow each chartering organization to set standards

LDS troops can select their own leaders and do not have to accept gay leadership (though I know some gay LDS scout leaders). My troop can give up the pretense of ignoring or not asking about the sexuality of leaders. The informal rule in my council (one of the largest in BSA) was "don't ask, don't tell" and several of the key leaders in my troop's district were gay but no one cared so long as no one wore a scout uniform to a gay pride event.

The idiot who caused the SCOTUS ruling on this, did wear his uniform to a gay pride event. Otherwise, no one would have cared.

[TacoD]

6. Now they just need to allow atheists (nt)

[Adrahil]

7. Exactly. They are half way to getting

My support back.

[Auggie]

8. +1

[Android3.14]

9. Good for the BSA

As an adult Eagle Scout, I received a variety of surveys from the National Eagle Scout Association and the OA over the last several years, and it was obvious the recipients of this award were staunchly in support of the LGBT community.

The exclusion of adult LGBT folks, even after they allowed gay boys to join, offended me because it stood against three points of the Boy Scout Law requiring a member to be helpful, courteous, kind, and brave.

Bravo.