If adopted by the organization’s board of directors, it would represent a profound change on an issue that has been highly controversial — one that even went to the US Supreme Court. The new policy, now under discussion, would eliminate the ban from the national organization’s rules, leaving local sponsoring organizations free to decide for themselves whether to admit gay scouts.
“The chartered organizations that oversee and deliver scouting would accept membership and select leaders consistent with their organization’s mission, principles or religious beliefs,” according to Deron Smith, a spokesman for the Boy Scouts’ national organization.
Individual sponsors and parents “would be able to choose a local unit which best meets the needs of their families,” Smith said.
I’ve written about the Irving-based BSA before, usually in unflattering terms. The Boy Scouts of America is now, apparently, taking steps to remedy its wrongs, and to open the organization to everyone. As it should. I haven’t been this happy in a very long time. Well, since my wedding in October.
