2013 May 23

Boy Scouts Drop Ban on Homosexuality

 

After a highly publicized internal debate, the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) voted to drop its ban on homosexuals as scouts.

The decision was one of several remarkable developments in favor of lesbian and gay rights between mid-2012 and mid-2013. Because decisions on membership are made by groups sponsoring local Scout troops, the decision by the national organization did not guarantee that homosexuals could join every troop.

The BSA continued to maintain a ban on homosexuals as Scout leaders, however. The BSA also continued to maintain that agnostics and atheists cannot participate in any level of scouting, although it does not require adherence to any particular religious creed or denomination.

The Girl Scouts adopted a policy on LGBT equality in 2003.

Learn about their current policy at the BSA website: http://www.scouting.org

Watch a debate with Scouts for Equality’s Zach Wahls: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjoT5tQV1NU

Learn more at Scouts for Equality: https://www.scoutsforequality.com/

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