Boy Scout leaders put off vote on gay membership

By Casey Wian and Michael Pearson, CNN

Irving, Texas (CNN) - Boy Scout executives won't vote this week on a proposal that would allow local troops to decide whether to welcome gay members and leaders.

The national organization's executive board had been expected to vote on the proposal Wednesday, but said instead that it needs more time to get comment on the issue from its members.

The decision will now be made at the organization's annual meeting in May. About 1,400 members of the group's national council will take part during that gathering, the board said.

"After careful consideration and extensive dialogue within the Scouting family, along with comments from those outside the organization, the volunteer officers of the Boy Scouts of America's National Executive Board concluded that due to the complexity of this issue, the organization needs time for a more deliberate review of its membership policy," the board said in a statement.

In the meantime, the organization will "further engage representatives of Scouting's membership and listen to their perspectives and concerns."