Perry: No Openly Gay Scoutmasters

During a segment on Sunday’s Meet the Press, Rick Perry told Chuck Todd that the Boy Scouts would be “better off” if they didn’t have openly gay scoutmasters. The Boy Scouts are set to change their policy on gay scoutleaders, and Todd asked if Perry stood by a previous opinion on sexual orientation in the organization. “‘Openly active gays, particular advocates, present a problem. Because gay activism is central to their lives. It would unavoidably be a topic of conversation within a scout troop. This would distract from the mission of scouting, character building, not sex education.’ Do you still stand by that statement?” Todd asked. “I do,” Perry responded. “I believe that scouting would be better off if they didn’t have openly gay scoutmasters.”