The Boy Scouts of America has said it will continue to deny membership to gay people because doing so "is in the best interest of Scouting." Its announcement followed a two-year internal study which was prompted by heated debate over the policy of excluding gay Scouts and Scout leaders.
Bob Mazzuca, Chief Scout Executive of Boy Scouts of America, said: "The vast majority of the parents of youth we serve value their right to address issues of same-sex orientation within their family, with spiritual advisers, and at the appropriate time and in the right setting.
"While a majority of our membership agrees with our policy, we fully understand that no single policy will accommodate the many diverse views among our membership."
In 2000 the Boy Scouts of America won a close 5-4 ruling in the US Supreme Court which allowed it to continue its longstanding ban on gay people. The group argued that lifting the prohibition would violate its values.
TVNL Comment: What a disgrace, and what a stark contrast to the Girl Scouts of America who refuse to discriminate against any child.
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