The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) is one of the largest youth organizations in the United States, with 2.7 million youth members and over 1 million adult volunteers. Since its founding in 1910 as part of the international Scout Movement, more than 110 million Americans have been members of the BSA. The Boy Scouts currently prohibits “avowed” gay and lesbian children and adults from participation, citing its principle to be “morally straight.” On May 23, 2013, 61% of the 1,400-member BSA National Council voted to remove the restriction denying membership to youth on the basis of sexual orientation. The resolution will go into effect on January 1, 2014. Scout leaders who are “open and avowed homosexuals” are still prohibited. Gay rights groups hailed the decision, but vowed to press on until all gay members are accepted.
The Los Angeles Police Department’s Explorers youth program will end its nearly 50-year relationship with the Boys Scouts of America, citing the organization’s policy that discriminates against gays violates the city’s non-discrimination policy, reports KCBS-TV. The Police Commission voted two months ago to end its relationship with the Scouts effective January 1, 2010, because of […]
