Hoylman Statement on Boy Scouts of America Vote to End Ban on Gay Adult Leaders

NEW YORK - State Senator Brad Hoylman said: “In my first month in office, I wrote to the leadership of the Boy Scouts of America and insisted that they remove any barriers to participation in the organization based on sexual orientation. As the only openly gay New York State Senator and a former Eagle Scout (Troop 70, Lewisburg, WV), I'm pleased that the Boy Scouts National Executive Board voted today to end its blanket ban on gay adult leaders but remain concerned that the new policy still gives local scout troops affiliated with religious organizations the option to discriminate. I urge President Robert Gates and the Board to adopt a policy that doesn't allow religion to provide cover for bigotry.