FORT SMITH (KFSM)-The Boy Scouts of America lifts its ban on openly gay scout leaders and employees. That allows each local chapter to make its own decision on organization leaders, which means individual scout groups can still deny leadership positions based on sexual orientation.
“If a chartered organization has a religious or a faith-based belief, they are still allowed to select leaders that reflect that belief,” Bryan Feather, Westark Area Council Scout Executive said. “It`s just that we will have organizations that will have more diversity within their leadership.”
The Westark Area Council represents 17 counties, about 200 chartered Boy Scouts of America troops and around 6,000 members.
5NEWS asked Feather what Monday’s (July 27) decision means for the organization.
“Male or female, regardless of sexual orientation, they will be given an opportunity to apply for and serve as a leader within the scouting organization,” he said.
Not everyone supports yesterday's decision.
“It`s something that I wouldn`t approve of personally,” Robert Simmons said. “I have nothing against the gays or lesbians, but it`s just in that position, I wouldn`t approve of it.”
“I`m sure that a gay man and a gay woman can bring to the program just as much that a straight man or woman ,” Juan Yvanez said.
Feather says despite a leader's sexual orientation, an employee can be terminated for pushing a political or social agenda.
“No sexual discussion is appropriate within the environment of scouting, and so we continue to have a strict behavioral conduct policy that prohibits the discussion of sexual matters,” Feather said.
The national executive board voted to lift a separate ban two years ago, which allows openly gay scouts into the organization.