Watch: Boy Scouts president explains the reason to allow gay leaders
The Boy Scouts ended its national ban against gay adult leaders on Monday.
Boy Scouts President Robert Gates said in a video on the policy change that for too long the issue had divided and distracted the organization.
“The best way to allow the BSA to continue to focus on its mission and core values was to address the issue and set our own course, and that’s what we’ve done,’’ said Gates.
The executive board of The Boy Scouts of America approved a resolution removing the national restriction, but despite the policy change, individually chartered groups would still be allowed to select their own leaders.
Gates explained that religious beliefs can still be used by individually chartered organizations as a criterion for selecting adult leaders, “including in matters of sexuality.’’
Watch his full statement on the policy change:
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