The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) on
Monday ended its ban on openly gay adult leaders, employees and
volunteers.
More than 79 percent of the National
Executive Board members present and voting backed the change, which
takes effect immediately.
The change in policy would still allow
troops run by churches to “choose adult leaders whose beliefs are
consistent with their own,” according to an internal memo.
“There are differences of opinion,
and we need to be respectful of them,” Michael Harrison, a leader
from California, told The New York Times. “It doesn't mean
the Mormons have to pick a gay scoutmaster, but please don't tell the
Unitarians they can't.”
The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints (the Mormons) criticized the move, saying in a
statement that it was “deeply troubled” and that its
“century-long association with Scouting will need to be examined.”
Zach Wahls, executive director of
Scouts for Equality, praised the move.
“This vote marks the beginning of a
new chapter for the Boy Scouts of America. Tens of thousands of
people came together because they wanted to build a better future for
the Boy Scouts of America, and that future starts now. … As of this
vote, the Boy Scouts of America is an organization that is looking
forward, not back.”