Not even a recent statement of support made by President Barack Obama could persuade the Boy Scouts of America's board of directors today to lift the ban on openly gay scouts and organization leaders.

BSA announced last week that it would take up the issue at its next board meeting. A statement from the BSA released last week signaled a willingness to lift a ban on gay scouts, but such a ban continues.

“After careful consideration and extensive dialogue within the Scouting family, along with comments from those outside the organization, the volunteer officers of the Boy Scouts of America’s National Executive Board concluded that due to the complexity of this issue, the organization needs time for a more deliberate review of its membership policy,” the organization said via a prepared statement after their Board meeting concluded.

Boy Scouts keeps gay ban for now; task force to study impact of gay members

The board did create a task force that would study the issue and the impact of allowing gay scouts and leaders to stay active members. The board could take up the issue again.

Earlier this week, petitions with more than a million signatures were delivered to the BSA headquarters calling on the organization to end its discriminatory policy barring gay scouts and leaders.

 

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)