Subscribe
Hellobeautiful Featured Video
CLOSE

The Boy Scouts of America has lifted its controversial ban on gay youth members, however openly gay adult leaders have yet to see the light at the end of a long road.

According to the Washington Post, more than 1,400 volunteer leaders for across the country voted to change the policy of forbidding membership “on the basis of sexual orientation or preference alone.”

MUST READ: I Really Need This Kanye West Tweet T-Shirt

The decision came after years of criticism from gay rights advocates, who claimed the conservative group ignored changes in culture and the shifting beliefs of its members.

“The Boy Scouts of America will not sacrifice its mission, or the youth served by the movement, by allowing the organization to be consumed by a single, divisive, and unresolved societal issue,” the organization said in statement said. “While people have different opinions about this policy, we can all agree that kids are better off when they are in Scouting.”

MUST READ: Crying At Commercials: Watch Kia Sorento & Boyz II Men’s Super Sweet Serenade

Although one ban had been lifted, the century-old group has yet to discontinue its restriction on gay adult volunteers.

Some conservative churches that sponsor Scout units wanted to continue excluding gay youths, in some cases threatening to defect if the ban were lifted. More liberal Scout leaders – while supporting the proposal to accept gay youth – have made clear they want the ban on gay adults lifted as well.

In an interview with the New York Times, gay rights group Glaad said their organization plans to put continuous pressure the scouts over its leadership issue.

“We’ll continue urging corporate donors and public officials to withhold their support,” said representative Richard Ferraro.

Although there is still more work to be done, the new youth policy will go into effect on January 1, 2014.

Beauties, do you think it’s morally right to ban leadership strictly on the basis of sexual orientation? Weigh in below.

RELATED STORIES

Beyonce Stands Up For Gay Marriage, Bobby Brown Sues Tabloid & More

Tia Mowry Dishes On Keeping Romance Alive, First NBA Player Announces He’s Gay & More

Check Out This Gallery

Gay Athletes
0 photos

For 2024’s iteration of MadameNoire and HelloBeautiful’s annual series Women to Know, we knew we wanted to celebrate the people who help make the joys of film and television possible. To create art is to create magic. This year, we spotlight Hollywood Executive’s changing the face of cinema.