President Obama publicly expressed his opposition to a policy at the Boy Scouts of America that prohibits LGBTs from joining. The President’s comments follow the Boy Scout’s recent reaffirmation of the discriminatory policy announced in July.
“The President believes the Boy Scouts is a valuable organization that has helped educate and build character in American boys for more than a century,” White House spokesperson Shin Inouye said to the Washington Blade. “He also opposes discrimination in all forms, and as such opposes this policy that discriminates on basis of sexual orientation.”
The ban on gays joining the boy’s club was met with protests nationwide including some members who turned in their badges as a result of the reaffirmation.
“Our nation’s leaders from across religions and political persuasions have joined hundreds of thousands of Americans in speaking out against the blatant discrimination that the Boy Scouts of America teaches young adults today,” said GLAAD President Herndon Graddick. “It’s clear that this outdated policy will be changing in the future. How long will the Boy Scouts continue to bully young gay Americans into hiding who they are and hurt children of gay parents by denying their parents an opportunity to participate in their children’s lives?”
