The Boy Scouts of America has affirmed its policy to exclude gay members. The decision comes after protest campaigns sparked a confidential two year review of the policy.Austin’s KTBC has more.
“The 11 member special committee was formed in 2010, and says the exclusion policy is ‘absolutely the best policy’ for the organization.”
The policy has frequented news headlines since the Supreme Court sided with the Scouts in 2000, ruling private organizations are exempt from state laws barring anti-gay discrimination. The most recent case was Eric Jones, who after 10 years in the Scouts was asked to leave the organization when he told them he was gay. KTQV has his comments.
“In my mind I thought that I had proven myself as a scout and an employee, so I thought that maybe it wouldn’t affect it. That it wouldn’t matter.”
Jones’s story spawned a nationwide campaign to revoke the policy. Scouts leaders say they will not review the policy again. The Scouts’ new policy states the organization is…
“… a voluntary, private organization that sets policies that are best for the organization. The BSA welcomes all who share its beliefs but does not criticize or condemn those who wish to follow a different path.”
Newsy has the full transcript
