May 23, 2013

The following excerpts are from the Associated Press article “Boy Scouts approve plan to accept openly gay boys” written by David Crary and Nomaan Merchant: “GRAPEVINE, Texas (AP) — The Boy Scouts of America threw open its ranks Thursday to gay Scouts but not gay Scout leaders — a fiercely contested compromise that some warned could fracture the organization and lead to mass defections of members and donors.”

“Of the roughly 1,400 voting members of the BSA’s National Council who cast ballots, 61 percent supported the proposal drafted by the governing Executive Committee. The policy change takes effect Jan. 1.”

“‘This has been a challenging chapter in our history,’ the BSA chief executive, Wayne Brock, said after the vote. ‘While people have differing opinions on this policy, kids are better off when they’re in Scouting.’”

“However, the outcome will not end the bitter debate over the Scouts’ membership policy.” …