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Boy Scouts of America

Latest news about ongoing discrimination in the Boy Scouts of America. Previously, the boys scouting organization had an effective ban against young members who identified as gay. In protest, many Eagle Scouts, which is the highest rank in the Boy Scouts of America, returned their Eagle Scout badges. Effective January 2014, the ban against gay young members is lifted, after controversy about the policy prompted a national vote among its leaders. Zach Wahls, an Eagle Scout, LGBT activist, and the son of two lesbian mothers, founded Scouts For Equality, which lobbies for change in the national organization.

Boy Scouts
Women
Badge
play

Should Girls Be Allowed in the Boy Scouts?

Transgender Eagle Scout Jessie "Gender" Earl on the argument that girls shouldn't be allowed in the newly renamed Scouts BSA.

SCOUTS
Youth

Boy Scouts Will Allow Girls to Join

Girls will be admitted to the Cub Scouts, while a program for older girls will soon be developed.

Boy Scouts
Youth

Boy Scouts to Allow Transgender Kids

The change is effective immediately.

Boy Scouts of America
Youth

Ex-Boy Scout Boss to Lead LGBT Youth Group

A former Boy Scouts executive will lead a Pennsylvania nonprofit that helps homeless LGBT youth. 

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Religion

More Churches Cutting Ties With Boy Scouts of America

The BSA's new policy allowing gay adult leaders doesn't require any church-sponsored unit to accept them, but that's not enough for some churches.

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Voices

Op-ed: The Mormons and the Scouts Need a Divorce

For too long, the Boy Scouts of America has caved to the Mormon Church's antigay influence. It's time for the two intertwined organizations to go their separate ways.

Kelly Clarkson and Victoria Rader
television

Kelly Clarkson Had a Big Surprise for One of First Female Eagle Scouts

The talk show host honored Victoria Rader for breaking a glass ceiling.

Boy Scouts Announce Dropping "Boy" From Name
Youth
Badge
play

Boy Scouts Drop 'Boy' From Name

In preparation for admitting girls into the organization in 2019, the Boy Scouts of America will go gender-neutral.

Donald Trump
Politics

Head of Boy Scouts Apologizes for Donald Trump's Inappropriate Jambore

The Boy Scouts of America finally apologizes for Trump's self-congratulatory political speech to a group of young men.

Katie and Joe
Transgender

Katie Couric Interviews First Openly Transgender Boy Scout

Katie Couric and Joe Maldonado discuss the journey from being kicked out of the Boy Scouts to ultimate acceptance.

North Boulevard Church
Religion

Church Shuts Out Scouts Over Gay Leaders Policy

The leaders of a church in Murfreesboro, Tenn. cited the recent change in Boy Scout policy allowing gay leaders for its decision impacting 100 scouts.

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Boy Scouts of America

Catholic Boy Scout Troop Rejects Gay Leader

Greg Bourke's 'heart is broken' after learning he would not be allowed to rejoin the Kentucky troop.

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Voices

Op-ed: Why This Gay Former Boy Scout Is 'Cheerful'

Finally, a group that supplies pocketknives to young boys has stopped claiming that LGBT people are dangerous.

Boy Scouts
Youth

Boy Scouts Filing Bankruptcy Amid Sexual Abuse Lawsuits

A spokesman says the organization will still compensate survivors of abuse.

Scouts
Youth

Boy Scouts on Verge of Bankruptcy

Sexual abuse settlements could force the once anti-LGBTQ organization into Chapter 11.

Women Have Always Been a Part of the Boy Scouts
Voices

Women Like Me Have Always Been Part of the Boy Scouts

It's sad that we still see so many different programs in terms of the gender binary. Thankfully, BSA is getting with the times.

Boy Scout
Religion

Mormon Church to Pull Older Youths From Boy Scout Troops

Church officials say the Boy Scouts' liberalization of gay and trans policies did not factor in the decision, though Mormon leaders previously expressed concern about the Scouts' pro-LGBT stances.

trans boy scout
Transgender

'I Am Accepted': First Transgender Boy Scout Officially Welcomed

Nine-year-old Joe Maldonado was jubilant as he wore his new Cub Scout uniform for New Jersey's Pack 20.

hillary-clinton-boy-scouts
Voices

Hillary, the Boy Scouts Need You

The "religious freedom" rallying cry is being used to kick LGBT leaders out of the Boy Scouts. Can we count on Hillary Clinton to help stop the madness?

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Religion

Mormon Church Backs Off Threat to Leave Boy Scouts

After insinuating they might sever ties with the youth organization after it opened up leadership roles to out gays, the Church says it's sticking with the BSA.