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In reply to the discussion: NBC News: Boy Scouts Close to Ending Ban on Gay Members, Leaders [View all]Gothmog
(145,335 posts)I remember reading on a scouting blog that one of the New York Councils opening stated that they were ignoring the National policy on this issue. There are other councils who have made similar statements. For example the largest council in two states are ignoring the national policy http://www.startribune.com/local/west/162817346.html?refer=y and http://www.ct.com/news/advocates/latest-news/nm-ht34ncboyscouts-20120814,0,6853848.story I am not sure if National has tried to disciplined these councils.
My local council is one of the largest in the country (Sam Houston Area Council) and here the unofficial policy is a very liberal "don't ask, don't tell" policy where you will only get into trouble if you wear your scouting uniform to a gay pride event (such an action would also be in violation of the rule that you can not wear a scouting uniform to any political event). My troop committee chair and I have met with council leadership and were assured that they did not want to get into a fight on this issue.
One reason for the change in the National policy appears to be in part trying to keep control of this issue without disbanding several large councils.