The Boy Scouts of America has long been a punching bag for the gay rights movement. For refusing to accept openly gay members, the organization has been accused of teaching hate, and its stance has cost it the support of entertainers like Carly Rae Jepsen and Train and sponsors like Chipotle and the Merck Foundation. Today, though, the group’s National Council voted to lift that ban, although gay adults are still barred from leadership positions.
Boy Scouts of America will end their 103-year ban on gay scouts effective Jan. 1, 2014. Major moment in the history of U.S. scouting.
— Chris Francescani (@CDFrancescani) May 23, 2013
.@ZachWahls and @Jen_Tyrrell embrace after the #BoyScouts vote to end ban on gay Scouts. http://t.co/u93AYHXOPc pic.twitter.com/lSc1sA9Ym6
— GLAAD (@glaad) May 23, 2013
The move has received praise as a step in the right direction from many quarters, including Washington and the entertainment industry.
The Boy Scouts of America's historic decision to welcome gay Scouts is an important first step.
— Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) May 23, 2013
“@BostonGlobe: BREAKING: Boy Scouts approve plan to accept openly gay boys as Scouts; ban on gay adult leaders remains – @AP” 1/2 way there!
— Eliza Dushku (@elizadushku) May 23, 2013
“@TieTheKnotOrg: BREAKING: Boy Scouts approve proposal to allow gay youth. Ban on leaders still remains.” Good step forward #BoyScouts
— Jesse Tyler Ferguson (@jessetyler) May 23, 2013
In a statement, the Boy Scouts added that the resolution, effective January 1, 2014, also “reinforces that Scouting is a youth program, and any sexual conduct, whether heterosexual or homosexual, by youth of Scouting age is contrary to the virtues of Scouting.” Whatever the reason, the continued ban on gay scout leaders is justification to slam the organization as usual.
Gay kids can be in the Boy Scouts Of America, but when they become adults, they're banned from ever being scout leaders. #USA
— Jenny Johnson (@JennyJohnsonHi5) May 23, 2013
RT @ABC #Breaking: Boy Scouts Introduce Hypocrisy merit badge.
— (((Josh Malina))) (@JoshMalina) May 23, 2013
"You're ok, gays. Just don't grow up." RT @ABC #Breaking: Boy Scouts Vote to End Ban on Gay Scouts; Gay Adults Still Barred From Leadership.
— (((Josh Malina))) (@JoshMalina) May 23, 2013
http://twitter.com/JasonBiggs/statuses/337696402916380672
http://twitter.com/JasonBiggs/statuses/337697146042187776
http://twitter.com/JasonBiggs/statuses/337697933338234880
That's alright, Boy Scouts. As long as your uniforms include ascots, who's gay is really anyone's guess.
— Kira Bindrim (@KiraBind) May 23, 2013
https://twitter.com/momandel/status/337709466193625090
While the policy change is the result of a vote within the organization, there’s no doubt that external pressure weighed heavily on Boy Scout leadership, and the effect on membership numbers remains to be seen. Gov. Rick Perry of Texas issued a brief statement expressing his disappointment.
Saddened the BSA bends to the whims of political correctness. http://t.co/KbcdB7aAlS
— Rick Perry (@GovernorPerry) May 23, 2013
The Boys Scouts of America has been built upon the values of faith and family for more than 100 years and today’s decision contradicts generations of tradition in the name of political correctness. While I will always cherish my time as a scout and the life lessons I learned, I am greatly disappointed with this decision.
Bowing to lib pressure, Boy Scouts remove ban on gay scouts. Progressives love the 1st amendment, just not all of it. #FreedomOfAssociation
— Razor (@hale_razor) May 23, 2013
Boy Scouts predict 350,000 may leave, 20,000 may join over decision to permit gay members http://t.co/7kaWh7ICLl
— Christianity Today (@CTmagazine) May 23, 2013
Bryan Fischer of the American Family Association suggests that today’s vote is the death of the BSA.
Epitaph: On this day, the Boy Scouts of America died, sacrificing their honor and the sexual integrity of young men.
— Bryan Fischer (@BryanJFischer) May 23, 2013
Every faith community, including the LDS church, should notify the BSA tomorrow that they are terminating sponsorship.
— Bryan Fischer (@BryanJFischer) May 23, 2013
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