Boy Scouts of America Considers Ending Ban on Gay Members
January 28, 2013 by Maureen McCarty, Online Content and Marketing Manager
Today's policy change announcement by the Boy Scouts of America follows years of work from pro-equality organizations, including GLAAD, Scouts for Equality and HRC, in addition to 1.2 million individuals who signed a Change.org petition calling on BSA to end their national policy of discrimination.
Under the new policy, the religious, civic or educational organizations that oversee and deliver Scouting would determine membership and leadership consistent with each organization’s mission, principles or religious beliefs.
According to Scouts for Equality, 11 councils, which serve over 260,000 Scouts, have taken a stand against the standing anti-gay policies.
“The pulse of equality is strong in America, and today it beats a bit faster with news that the Boy Scouts may finally put an end to its long history of discrimination,” said HRC President Chad Griffin in a statement released by GLAAD. “Our nation and its leaders respect lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender citizens, and it’s time the Boy Scouts echo those values.”
The policy change could come as early as next week.
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