New York, NY, July 27, 2015 … The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today welcomed the Boy Scouts of America vote finally ending its longstanding policy of banning membership to gay troop leaders. The organization’s national board voted today to ratify a resolution eliminating its ban on openly gay adults in scouting.
In 2013, when the Boy Scouts ended its ban on gay youth, ADL urged the organization to abolish their remaining discriminatory policies.
Barry Curtiss-Lusher, ADL National Chair, and Jonathan A. Greenblatt, ADL National Director issued the following statement:
We welcome the Boy Scouts’ decision to finally end their discriminatory policy of excluding gay adults in scouting. Lifting this ban will allow longtime scouts to continue their participation with the organization and gay and lesbian scout parents will have the opportunity to participate as scoutmasters.
We continue to believe that no one should be denied the opportunity to participate in any Boy Scout troop because of their sexual orientation and hope that all chartering troops are able to embrace the inclusive values articulated in this resolution.