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Boy Scouts president: ban on gay scout leaders an 'unsustainable position' Boy Scouts president: ban on gay scout leaders an 'unsustainable position'
(about 1 hour later)
Boy Scouts of America president Robert Gates has called for an end to the organization’s ban on gay scout leaders, saying to continue to prohibit gay adult from serving “will be the end of us as a national movement”. The Boy Scouts of America president, Robert Gates, has called for an end to the organization’s ban on gay scout leaders, saying to continue to prohibit gay adults from serving “will be the end of us as a national movement”.
Citing the social, political and judicial changes in the country in regard to LGBT rights, Gates said that the group should change its policy before it is forced to by the court system.Citing the social, political and judicial changes in the country in regard to LGBT rights, Gates said that the group should change its policy before it is forced to by the court system.
Speaking at the Boy Scouts national business meeting in Atlanta, Gates, the former US secretary of defense, acknowledged he had originally opposed reviewing the issue during his two-year term as BSA president. He said that it is clear now that the ban on gay leaders is an “unsustainable position”.Speaking at the Boy Scouts national business meeting in Atlanta, Gates, the former US secretary of defense, acknowledged he had originally opposed reviewing the issue during his two-year term as BSA president. He said that it is clear now that the ban on gay leaders is an “unsustainable position”.
The BSA agreed to allow openly gay scouts at the May 2013 annual meeting, but upheld its ban on gay scout leaders. More than 60% of its members voted in favor of ending the ban on gay scouts, which ended on 1 January 2014.The BSA agreed to allow openly gay scouts at the May 2013 annual meeting, but upheld its ban on gay scout leaders. More than 60% of its members voted in favor of ending the ban on gay scouts, which ended on 1 January 2014.
Gates called for the organization to amend its rules to allow religious bodies to establish their own standards for adult leaders and that he will not revoke the charters from groups that are currently violating the ban.Gates called for the organization to amend its rules to allow religious bodies to establish their own standards for adult leaders and that he will not revoke the charters from groups that are currently violating the ban.
“Our oath calls upon us to do our duty to God and our country,” Gates said. “The country is changing and we are increasingly at odds with the legal landscape at both the state and federal levels.”“Our oath calls upon us to do our duty to God and our country,” Gates said. “The country is changing and we are increasingly at odds with the legal landscape at both the state and federal levels.”
Gates mentioned the debates in Arkansas and Indiana that forced lawmakers to amend, or drop, religious freedom laws that were interpreted by critics as discriminatory – and the upcoming supreme court decision on whether states are allowed to ban same-sex marriage.Gates mentioned the debates in Arkansas and Indiana that forced lawmakers to amend, or drop, religious freedom laws that were interpreted by critics as discriminatory – and the upcoming supreme court decision on whether states are allowed to ban same-sex marriage.
Within the BSA, Gates said the organization cannot ignore internal challenges from councils in places like Denver and New York, which announced in April that it had hired an openly gay adult Eagle Scout.Within the BSA, Gates said the organization cannot ignore internal challenges from councils in places like Denver and New York, which announced in April that it had hired an openly gay adult Eagle Scout.
Related: New York Boy Scouts chapter hires openly gay scout in defiance of banRelated: New York Boy Scouts chapter hires openly gay scout in defiance of ban
Gates said that he is not asking the national board to change the policy at the meeting, but warned that the group would likely be forced to concede to the changing tide, whether they want to or not. “We must deal with the the world as it is, not as we might wish it to be,” Gates said. Gates said that he is not asking the national board to change the policy at the meeting, but warned that the group would probably be forced to concede to the changing tide, whether they want to or not. “We must deal with the the world as it is, not as we might wish it to be,” Gates said.
Scouts for Equality executive director Zach Wahls, a leader of the movement to change the policy, heralded Gates’s remarks. The Scouts for Equality executive director, Zach Wahls, a leader of the movement to change the policy, heralded Gates’s remarks.
“This is another step forward for the Boy Scouts of America,” Wahls said. “I’m proud to see Dr Gates charting a course towards full equality in the BSA. While our work won’t be done until we see a full end to their ban on gay adults once and for all, today’s announcement is a significant step in that direction.”“This is another step forward for the Boy Scouts of America,” Wahls said. “I’m proud to see Dr Gates charting a course towards full equality in the BSA. While our work won’t be done until we see a full end to their ban on gay adults once and for all, today’s announcement is a significant step in that direction.”
The organization said that two proposed resolutions to change membership standards for adult gay leaders have been referred to the BSA executive committee. These resolutions are not voted on during the national meeting, which ends on Friday.The organization said that two proposed resolutions to change membership standards for adult gay leaders have been referred to the BSA executive committee. These resolutions are not voted on during the national meeting, which ends on Friday.