The Boy Scouts Seek to End Ban on Gay Members

After months of contentious debate, awkward surveys, and millions of dollars pulled by corporate sponsors, it looks like the Boy Scouts of America is finally looking to end its ban on gay members (again!).

Deron Smith, the BSA’s spokesperson, told Reuters that after months of deliberation, the decision has been made that, "no youth may be denied membership in the Boy Scouts of America on the basis of sexual orientation or preference alone."

While initially the BSA wanted to leave it up to each individual charter, they now seem to be moving in the direction of a full repeal on the ban.

Smith noted that the decision drew from three months of research, surveys and discussions and was "among the most complex and challenging issues facing the BSA and society today."

While this is great news, there is a major caveat: the BSA still needs to take a vote in May on whether or not to accept this change. While today’s news is a step in the right direction, the last time this happened, the BSA punted the decision at the last minute.

Hold off on the celebrations for now.

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Ilana Glazer

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