Boy Scouts Expected to Lift Ban on Gay Adult Leaders
The Boy Scouts could begin allowing gay adult leaders into its ranks Monday when its board considers overturning its longstanding restrictions.
Boy Scouts leader: Ban on gay adult leaders 'not sustainable'
July 27, 2015, 12:18 AM UTC
By Tim Stelloh
The Boy Scouts of America could begin allowing gay adult leaders into its ranks Monday, when the group's executive board considers a resolution seeking to overturn its longstanding ban on sexual orientation.
The resolution was approved earlier this month by the Boy Scouts' national executive committee after former Defense Secretary Robert Gates, the organization's president, called on the Boy Scouts last month to "reflect" on the group's "adult leadership standards."
The rule, if approved, would still allow religious chartered Boy Scout units to choose leaders "whose beliefs are consistent with their own," the group said in a statement.
The change comes as the Boy Scouts' membership policy has come under increasing scrutiny and after a historic ballot in 2013, when the organization's 1,400-member council voted to allow gay youth to be members, but not adults.
COUNTDOWN TO #BSA VOTE - David may be able to rejoin #Scouting on Mon 7/27 after being removed 22 yrs ago @boyscouts pic.twitter.com/H5B1JyJ7jL
— Scouts For Equality (@Scouts4Equality) July 26, 2015
Tim Stelloh
Tim Stelloh is a breaking news reporter for NBC News Digital.