Boy Scouts Of America Explains Possible Gay Ban Policy Shift [Full Text]

The Boy Scouts of America on Monday said its leadership is looking at possibly removing the organization’s ban on gays.

Should the organization’s board of directors approve of the sweeping policy change, the ant-gay rule will be removed from the national rules, leaving it up to local chapters to decide whether to accept homosexuals.

Here’s the full text of the email Deron Smith, the director of public relations, sent the International Business Times regarding the planned policy change.

“For more than 100 years, Scouting’s focus has been on working together to deliver the nation’s foremost youth program of character development and values-based leadership training. Scouting has always been in an ongoing dialogue with the Scouting family to determine what is in the best interest of the organization and the young people we serve.

“Currently, the BSA is discussing potentially removing the national membership restriction regarding sexual orientation. This would mean there would no longer be any national policy regarding sexual orientation, but that the chartered organizations that oversee and deliver Scouting would accept membership and select leaders consistent with their organization’s mission, principles or religious beliefs. BSA members and parents would be able to choose a local unit which best meets the needs of their families.

“The policy change under discussion would allow the religious, civic or educational organizations that oversee and deliver Scouting to determine how to address this issue. The Boy Scouts would not, under any circumstances, dictate a position to units, members or parents. Under this proposed policy, the BSA would not require any chartered organization to act in ways inconsistent with that organization’s mission, principles or religious beliefs.”