April 22, 2013 | Sex & Society

Boy Scouts of America to loosen ban on gay members

The Boy Scouts of America has been criticized for not allowing openly gay members. After much debate, it is now proposing to lift the ban ... but there's a catch!

The proposed change will allow gay youth to become Scouts, but gay adults will still be barred from leadership roles. The policy shift will be voted on in May during a National Council meeting in Texas.

"While perspectives and opinions vary significantly, parents, adults in the Scouting community and teens alike tend to agree that youth should not be denied the benefits of Scouting," the BSA said in a statement. "The proposed resolution also reinforces that Scouting is a youth program, and any sexual conduct, whether heterosexual or homosexual, by youth of Scouting age is contrary to the virtues of Scouting."

This would mean that gay Scouts can now earn the prized Eagle Scout Award, something that has been denied many young men solely because of their sexuality.

However, the BSA is afraid that allowing gay adults as Scout leaders would result in a mass exodus of members. So soon you can be an openly gay Scout, but once you become an adult you will be asked to leave the organization. That makes perfect sense (not!).