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Boy Scouts to vote on lifting its ban on gay youths
A member of Scouts for Equality holds an unofficial knot patch incorporating the colors of the rainbow, a symbol for gay rights.
May 23rd, 2013
08:12 AM ET

Boy Scouts to vote on lifting its ban on gay youths

By Devon M. Sayers and Phil Gast, CNN

(CNN) - The eyes of the country will be upon Texas on Thursday.

That's where 1,400 members of the Boy Scouts of America's national council are expected to vote on whether to end the 103-year-old group's outright ban on gay youths.

The outcome, to be announced late afternoon, follows months of intense debate among interest groups and within the ranks of scouting itself.

It comes down to a single sentence at the end of a resolution.

"No youth may be denied membership in the Boy Scouts of America on the basis of sexual orientation or preference alone."

If the policy change is approved, the BSA will maintain its ban on openly gay adult leaders.

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soundoff (4 Responses)
  1. Lynn Rigney

    Good for you!

    Sincerely,
    a straight mom of a straight former scout

    May 23, 2013 at 6:26 pm | Report abuse |
  2. BillyD1953

    Even if the vote admits gay scouts it's still way too little, way too late. They will still ban gays as scout leaders. What kind of bigoted message is that for the scouts themselves? As I understand it they are also against atheists. The BSA is an antiquated, bigoted organization that just needs to go away. Tolerant and caring organizations are already here to replace it.

    May 23, 2013 at 9:30 am | Report abuse |
    • Jeff F

      What kind of message is it sending if people who do not want things to change do not even get the right to keep things the same? Removing the rights of those opposed is essentially what would be happening. So basically the rights of gay people would outweigh the rights of those opposed....which is setting a worse precedent than banning gays to begin with especially since gays were not there from the beginning. Not all change is good or needed. That is not close_ minded or bigot. If I do not want my child around a gay child thats is my right and I should not be looked down upon. But consequently my only option would be to keep my child out of the boy scouts which is the same exact situation the gay scouts are in now....which does not change anything.

      May 23, 2013 at 4:08 pm | Report abuse |
    • Rumin8

      Why are you fighting so hard to join an antiquated, bigoted group. Being accepted in one group does not mean society accepts your choice of lifestyle . Since tthe traditional boy scout group does not fit your criteria for a caring and tolerant organization...leave the boy scouts alone and GO START_ YOUR OWN GROUP. You can call it rainbow scouts or what ever you wish. You are ruining scouting for the majority of kids who's parents will likely not allow them to participate now... does it feel good to destroy others rights and trample on them ...are you proud now?

      May 24, 2013 at 1:01 am | Report abuse |