Boy Scouts of America (BSA) came to a unanimous decision to lift the ban on homosexual adult leaders at a committee meeting on Friday, July 10. The organization’s executive committee voted to amend the current adult leadership standards policy after reviewing societal changes and legal challenges posed by sexual orientation discrimination. The new resolution is scheduled to be officially ratified on Monday, July 27.
“As a result of the rapid changes in society and increasing legal challenges at the federal, state, and local levels, on Friday, July 10, the Boy Scouts of America Executive Committee adopted a resolution amending the adult leadership standards policy. The resolution was unanimously adopted by those present and voting,” announced BSA in a press release on Monday, July 13.
In a separate press statement entitled “Why The BSA Must Reconsider The Adult Leader Standards,” BSA explained the reason behind Friday’s decision. The organization began by stating that the existing policy that bans gay adult leaders is “no longer legally defensible.” The U.S. Supreme Court’s 5-4 majority decision in Obergefell vs. Hodges legalized gay marriage in all 50 states under the 14th Amendment's provision on equal rights.
“However, the BSA’s commitment to duty to God and the right of religious chartered organizations to select their leaders is unwavering. Those two principles can coexist with a new policy that will pass legal scrutiny and protect religious freedoms,” stated BSA in a release on Friday.
Religious chartered organizations within BSA will be allowed “to continue to choose adult leaders whose beliefs are consistent with their own.” Furthermore, Boy Scout members and parents have the option of selecting to join local units that match their beliefs and “best meet the needs of their families.” BSA stated that the religious freedom of chartered organizations are protected by the 1st Amendment.
