President Barack Obama has joined Mitt
Romney in stating that he disagrees with the Boy Scouts of America's
ban on openly gay scouts and leaders.
“The President believes the Boy
Scouts is a valuable organization that has helped educate and build
character in American boys for more than a century. He also opposes
discrimination in all forms, and as such opposes this policy that
discriminates on [the] basis of sexual orientation,” White House
spokesman Shin Inouye told gay weekly Metro Weekly in an
e-mail.
Romney spokeswoman Andrea Saul earlier
confirmed in an e-mail to the AP that Romney also disagrees with the
group's policy.
Saul said that the presumed GOP nominee
for president stands by his 1994 statement on the issue made during a
political debate in Massachusetts.
“I support the right of the Boy
Scouts of America to decide what it wants to do on that issue,”
Romney said at the time. “I feel that all people should be able to
participate in the Boy Scouts regardless of their sexual
orientation.”
In June, the Boy
Scouts reaffirmed its policy of excluding gay members, saying it
was the “best policy” for the organization.
Boy Scouts spokesman Deron Smith
provided a statement to Metro
Weekly saying that the organization respectfully disagrees
with the president.
“The Boy Scouts of America respects
the opinions of President Obama and appreciates his recognition that
Scouting is a valuable organization,” said Smith. “We believe
that good people can personally disagree on this topic and still work
together to accomplish the common good.”