Barack Obama urges Boy Soucts to end ban on gay members After criticism from gay rights groups as well as gay former Scouts and Scout leaders, the BSA national executive board is expected to vote on Wednesday, the last day of a three-day meeting, on whether to lift the ban it had reaffirmed just last year. The organisation said last month it was considering ending its national ban on gay youth and adult members and leaving policies on sexual orientation to its local organisations. Since coming into office, Mr Obama has presided over several moves to reduce discrimination against gays, including ending the "don't ask, don't tell" policy that prevented gay men and women from serving openly in the military. He also stopped his administration from defending the Defence of Marriage Act, which forbade gay married couples from obtaining the same benefits that heterosexual couples receive. Mr Obama also voiced his support for gay rights during his high profile second Inaugural address last month. Separately on Sunday, Obama said he would have no hesitation sending women into combat after the Pentagon lifted its long-time ban last month. Women, as a practical matter, were already in combat, he said. "When they're in theatre, in places like Iraq and Afghanistan, they are vulnerable, they are wounded and they've been killed," Mr Obama said in the CBS interview, broadcast live shortly before the Super Bowl football game. "I meet extraordinary women in uniform who can do everything that a man can and more," he said.