Associated Press
IRVING, Texas (AP) -- The Boy Scouts of America's national executive board has delayed a decision on whether to lift its longstanding ban on gay scouts and leaders.
BSA said Wednesday the organization will take action on the resolution at its national meeting in May.
The organization said last week it was considering a shift of its policy, which has led officials to remove gay leaders and scouts. That announcement pushed years of debate over the policy to an even higher level.
President Barack Obama -- Scouting's honorary president -- spoke in favor of letting gay scouts in. Others opposed a shift. Protesters on both sides rallied at BSA headquarters in Irving, outside Dallas.
Scout leaders across the country will now have to decide how to handle a very delicate issue.
AP's earlier story is below.
The Boy Scouts of America's policy excluding gay members and leaders could be up for a vote as soon as Wednesday, when the organization's national executive board meets behind closed doors under intense pressure from several sides.
BSA announced last week it was considering allowing troops to decide whether to allow gay membership. That news has placed a spotlight on executive board meetings that began Monday in Irving, Texas, where scouting headquarters is located.
BSA spokesman Deron Smith said last week that the board could take a vote Wednesday or decide to discuss the policy, but the organization would issue a statement either way.
Otherwise, the board has remained silent, with reporters barred from the hotel where its meetings are taking place.
At nearby BSA headquarters, a handful of Scouts and leaders delivered petitions Monday in support of letting gay members join.
The conservative group Texas Values, meanwhile, says it has organized a Wednesday morning prayer vigil urging the Scouts to keep their policy the same.
President Barack Obama, an opponent of the policy, and Texas Gov. Rick Perry, an Eagle Scout who supports it, both have weighed in.
"My attitude is that gays and lesbians should have access and opportunity the same way everybody else does in every institution and walk of life," said Obama, who as U.S. president is the honorary president of BSA, in a Sunday interview with CBS.
Perry, the author of the book "On My Honor: Why the American Values of the Boy Scouts Are Worth Fighting For," said in a speech Saturday that "to have popular culture impact 100 years of their standards is inappropriate."
The board faces several choices, none of which is likely to quell controversy. Standing pat would go against the public wishes of two high-profile board members -- Ernst & Young CEO James Turley and AT&T Inc. CEO Randall Stephenson -- who run companies with nondiscrimination policies and have said they would work from within to change the Scouts' policy.
Conservatives have warned of mass defections if Scouting allows gay membership to be determined by troops. Local and regional leaders, as well as the leadership of churches that sponsor troops, would be forced to consider their own policies.
And policy opponents who delivered four boxes of signatures to BSA headquarters Monday said they wouldn't be satisfied by only a partial acceptance of gay scouts and leaders.
"We don't want to see Scouting gerrymandered into blue and red districts," said Brad Hankins, campaign director of Scouts for Equality.Boy Scouts delay decision on whether to lift ban on gays
Related Stories
- More Texas News
- National News
- International News
- Texas deputy killed in wreck, suspect detained
- Jailed suspect in Texas double slaying kills self
- Firefighter sought in Dallas condo complex blaze
- Cartel towns pose challenge for immigration reform
- Hundreds remember dead Texas cheerleader
- Texas police nab suspect in postal worker's death
- Texas bill would drastically revamp water agency
- Dallas suburb solar panel fight exposes problems
- Houston man shot in head trying to help woman
- Man shot dead at north Houston restaurant
- Conn. derailment to cause 'greatly slowed' commute
- What do we eat? New food map will tell us
- Iran says producing new air defense missile
- AP IMPACT: Military sex abuse victims seek VA help
- GOP ponders how to capitalize on Obama's woes
- Arias returns to court for penalty phase of trial
- Split-second choice ended with NY student dead
- BC ceremony notable for who will attend, who won't
- Civil rights trial on NYPD tactic closing
- NY town eyes limit on use of Plum Island
- Vandals target Israeli women's prayer group
- Russia targets pollster for 'political activity'
- Turkey: 1 killed, 24 injured in balloon crash
- Gunfire from Syria hits Israeli-controlled Golan
- Suicide bomber kills 14 at Afghan province council
- Car bombings kill dozens
- Malaysia court orders release of 3 terror suspects
- Syrian state media: Regime troops deep in key town
- Aid group: Syrian refugees face dire health risks
- SKorea analyzing if 4 projectiles North Korea launched were missiles or artillery
Automotive
Find valuable information about buying your next car, including price quotes and your latest automotive news.
Wedding Central
The greatest Southeast Texas story ever told. Share your wedding and engagement news!
Lost and Found Pets
These are pets that have been lost or found in the KFDM News Channel 6 viewing area.
No Text Zone
Texting While Driving Kills Thousands of People Each Year. Many More are Seriously Injured. You Can Help Make Our Roads a NO TEXT ZONE
Texas Lottery
Texas Lottery
Community Calendar
Check out our Community Calendar!
Baby Talk
Baby Talk with Nicole Murray.
KFDM Channel 6 Top Stories
Business News
Asian stocks rise on signs of steady US recovery
BANGKOK (AP) -- Evidence of a steady economic recovery in the U.S. helped push Asian stock markets higher today.
Consumer News
BC-US--Dow Record-Three Personal Stories, 1st Ld-Writethru,1173
Dow Record: Three tales of ups, downs and changes
AP Photo FX102, FX103
Eds: With BC-US--Dow Record. Adds photos.
By SCOTT MAYEROWITZ
AP Business Writer
NEW YORK (AP) -- When the Dow first crossed 14,000, investors were overjoyed. ...
Entertainment News
TRACY MORGAN -- HOST BILLBOARD MUSIC AWARDS
LAS VEGAS (AP) -- Tracy Morgan says he has found his birth dad -- and he's Wayne Newton.
Get This
BRAS A FIRE HAZARD?
MILWAUKEE (AP) -- We haven't heard this much about the threat of bra burning since the days of the women's liberation movement.
Science/Tech News
IN THE NEWS: FINANCIAL TIMES SITS HACKED
LONDON (AP) -- Another attack on a media site -- and again, one that is being claimed by the Syrian Electronic Army.
