It looks like all the disenfranchised scouts out there will finally get some resolution- specifically, one that finally makes the Boy Scouts of America open to gay members!
After three months of rigorous research and debate, the Scouts announced today that they are pushing forward a resolution banning discrimination for sexuality!
According to spokesman Deron Smith, the new rule states:
"No youth may be denied membership in the Boy Scouts of America on the basis of sexual orientation or preference alone."
Yay! Progress!
But what took them so long?? Author and Boy Scouts historian Patrick Boyle said:
"This is a historic change for the Boy Scouts.
You have a more than hundred-year-old organization changing what it considered a fundamental belief just a decade ago. That says a lot about the Scouts and a lot about how far the gay rights movement has come in the United States."
The scouts aren't out of the woods yet, so to speak. They still have to vote to ratify the resolution in May.
Then they'll finally get their merit badge in tolerance!
UPDATE:
It seems the Boy Scouts have had to clarify their position since this morning's announcement.
We were so happy with their big step into the new millennium, we failed to notice that the new policy is only for YOUTH members- meaning the BSA still won't be allowing gay scout leaders or other openly homosexual adults, including parents, into their organization.
Rich Ferraro, Vice President of Communications at GLAAD, says:
"By refusing to consider an end to its ban on gay and lesbian parents, the Boy Scouts have missed an opportunity to exercise leadership and usher the organization back to relevancy."
Though this is a very big change in the Scouts' policy, we have to agree. It seems the Boy Scouts of America just aren't prepared to step completely into the future.
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