In a move that the chief executive is calling "compassionate, caring and kind" the Boy Scouts of America have voted to remove a ban on homosexual scouts. A group of more than 1,400 scout leaders gathered in Grapevine, Texas and more than 60 percent voted to approve a measure stating that no one would be excluded from Scouts "on the basis of sexual orientation or preference alone," according to The New York Times.
The Boy Scouts of America have had a checkered past when it comes to relations with the gay community. A Supreme Court decision in 2000 allowed for the Scouts to continue banning gay leaders from the organization. Shortly after the vote Wayne Brock, chief executive of BSA, spoke about that history with the Associated Press.
"This has been a challenging chapter in our history," Brock said. "While people have differing opinions on this policy, kids are better off when they're in Scouting."
In the weeks leading up to the vote, the Southern Baptist Convention had been campaigning to have the ban remain in place. In a statement the organization had claimed that the "resolution will place the Boy Scouts organization at odds with a consistent biblical world view on matters of human sexuality." After the vote, the head of the Southern Baptist Convention, Frank Page, expressed his dismay with the Associated Press.
"We are deeply saddened," Page said. "Homosexual behavior is incompatible with the principles enshrined in the Scout oath and Scout law."
John Stemberger, a former scout leader and founder of OnMyHonor.net, had been very active in trying to prevent the Scouts from allowing homosexual members. Stemberger and other like minded groups are expected to meet in Louisville, Ky., next month in order to create a "new character development organization for boys," according to the Associated Press.
Gay rights groups applauded the decision but as early as Thursday night some were already lobbying for the Scouts to remove the ban on homosexual leaders, according to The New York Times.
For gay men who had been kicked out of Scouts at some point there was a great deal of celebration. Matt Comer, 27, was kicked out of his troop when he was 14. Comer spoke with The New York Times about the decision.
"I've waited 13 years for this," Comer said. "Today we finally have some justice for me and others. But gay youths will still be told they are no longer welcome when they turn 18."
Zach Wahls is a 21-year-old Eagle Scout who was raised by lesbian mothers. Wahls talked to the Los Angeles Times about the significance of the decision.
"Today's vote ending the discrimination of gay Scouts is truly a historic moment and demonstrates the Boy Scouts of America's commitment to creating a more inclusive organization," Wahls said.
