Talk back: Should Boy Scouts reverse its ban on gays?

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The Boy Scouts of America may reverse its longstanding ban on gays and allow the private groups that operate local units of Scouts to decide.

The national board will discuss the issue at its next board meeting.

Scouts spokesman Deron Smith made it clear that the Boy Scouts would not dictate a position to units, members or parents.

“The policy change under discussion would allow the religious, civic or educational organizations that oversee and deliver scouting to determine how to address this issue,” Smith said.

The Times’ Kim Christensen reported that the organization had stood by the ban as recently as last summer. But Smith said Monday there was no particular impetus for the proposed change.

Instead, he said, it is the result of “a longstanding dialogue within the Scouting family.”

The proposed change was welcomed by gay right advocates.

Herndon Graddick, president of the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, or GLAAD, said in a statement: ‘Scouting is a valuable institution and this change will only strengthen its core principles of fairness and respect.’

Do you agree? Should the Boy Scouts let local units decide whether to allow gay scouts and leaders? Tell us what you think.

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