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The Boy Scouts of America is poised to allow openly gay scouts but not out leaders.

BSA spokesperson Deron Smith told Reuters that if a proposed policy is approved in May, "no youth may be denied membership in the Boy Scouts of America on the basis of sexual orientation or preference alone.”

The proposal, however, would still ban openly gay and lesbian scout leadership.

Boy Scouts of America may allow openly gay members, not leaders

The Georgia Voice Editors
National

Earlier this year, the organization’s leadership took up the issue but decided to defer any decision until a survey of the organizations members was complete. A survey was sent to members and leaders in mid-March to gauge opinion on the organization’s anti-gay policies.

Pressure has mounted on the BSA to allow openly gay members and leadership. In February, more than a million signatures were delivered to BSA headquarters from four separate petitions.

 

Top photo: Jennifer Tyrrell (left) created a petition on Change.org to call attention to her removal from the Boy Scouts over her sexual orientation (via Change.org)