July 28, 2015
The decision has long been expected. In 2013 the Boy Scouts began to allow openly gay youth to join the organization which until then upheld a healthy and traditional understanding of homosexuality. On May 21 of this year Boy Scouts president Robert Gates told a national meeting that the ban on gay adult leaders was no longer tenable and would bring lawsuits against the youth organization, and two weeks ago the new policy was approved unanimously by the BSA’s National Executive Committee.
The issue promises to remain controversial and divisive. Several denominations, including the Roman Catholic, Mormon, and Southern Baptist churches, which collectively sponsor nearly half of the Boy Scouts units, have been vocally concerned about the prospect of the now-enacted policy. Baptist attitudes towards the Scouts have cooled since 2013, and Rev. Russell Moore, president of the Southern Baptist Convention predicts that “This will probably bring that cooling to a freeze.” A statement from Mormon headquarters reads: "The admission of openly gay leaders is inconsistent with the doctrines of the Church and what have traditionally been the values of the Boy Scouts of America."
Leftist groups such as the gay-rights organization Human Rights Campaign have praised the move, stating, “BSA officials should now demonstrate true leadership and begin the process of considering a full national policy of inclusion.”
While the BSA’s leadership has pledged to defend the right to choose a leader according to the religious standards of each individual unit, many conservative leaders are not convinced, as gay rights groups have promised to continue bringing lawsuits. The Mormon Church is looking into the possibility of forming its own scouting group, such as Trail Life USA, a splinter group formed in the wake of the 2013 decision which now claims 25,000 members.
