Boy Scouts of America reconsiders policy on gay scouts, leaders

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Boy Scouts of America is talking about ending its ban on allowing gay youth and leaders into troops.

It's a controversial policy the scouting group has held for more than 100 years.

24-Hour News 8 spoke with local leaders and parents about this turn of events.

Just last summer the national scouting organization reaffirmed their policy. In an email Monday, Deron Smith, spokesperson for Boy Scouts of America, said the group is considering allowing the religious, civic, or educational organization that oversees each troop make that decision themselves.

“This would mean there would no longer be any national policy regarding sexual orientation, and the chartered organizations that oversee and deliver Scouting would accept membership and select leaders consistent with each organization’s mission, principles, or religious beliefs. BSA members and parents would be able to choose a local unit that best meets the needs of their families,” Smith’s statement reads

“I heard they had a ban; I’ve never seen anything practiced,” said local parent Leonard Richey. Richey said he wouldn’t have a problem with the national organization releasing the ban.

Johnny Alderman is the chairman of Boy Scout Troop 174. He says they'll do whatever the national group and then the church that sponsors them asks them to do.

“My point of view is, what’s the impact for the kids? How’s it going to impact our troop and our programs? If it’s positive and it’s good, I'm on board," said Alderman.

The issue has become a national controversy for some, with online petitions on a website called Scouts for Equality. The site has hundreds of thousands of signatures on some petitions: one is from Fort Wayne.

Recently, some major groups pulled funding for Boy Scouts of America because of the group’s stance.

“I was a Cub Scout once, and I wasn’t out then. I think just the fact the organization said they didn’t want someone like me to be in it, and therefore there was something wrong with me, was hurtful,” said Don Sherfick, Vice President of Indiana Equality Action. “I think the news is welcome. I remain a little bit skeptical, but certainly if it’s true, it’s a step in the right direction.”

The Crossroads of America Council Scout Executive Scott Clabaugh released this statement Monday, saying:

This is an internal national policy discussion, and no decision has been made.  I can say that local councils agree to support the decisions made by the volunteer national executive board.  Our united focus is on working together to deliver the nation's foremost youth program of character development and values-based leadership training.