Republican presidential candidate Rick
Perry on Sunday endorsed the Boy Scouts of America's (BSA) ban on gay
adults.
A proposal to allow gay adults to serve
as employees and troop leaders advanced last week with a unanimous
vote by the BSA's National Executive Committee.
(Related: Boy
Scouts of America committee approves resolution ending ban on gay
adults.)
Appearing on NBC News' Meet
the Press, the former governor was asked whether he stands by
comments he made in a 2008 book.
“Openly active gays, particularly
advocates, present a problem,” Perry wrote in On My Honor.
“Because gay activism is central to their lives, it would
unavoidably be a topic of conversation within a Scout troop. This
would distract from the mission of Scouting: character building, not
sex education.”
When host Chuck Todd asked whether
Perry stands by his remarks, he answered, “I do.”
“I believe that Scouting would be
better off if they didn't have openly gay scout masters,” Perry
said.
“So, you are against this policy
change by [BSA President] Bob Gates?” Todd asked.
“I am,” Perry answered.