Boy Scouts Reaffirm Gay Ban; 'So Much for Bravery and Kindness' Local LGBT Leader Says

The Boy Scouts of America reaffirmed its position today that the organization will continue to deny gay people membership, the Huffington Post reported Tuesday.

The decision comes after a confidential two-year review by the organization and rules out any potential changes to the policy — which applies to both leaders and Scouts.

The review committee was unanimous in its decision, continuing a long-standing policy that was upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2000 and has been controversial ever since, the Huffington Post reports.

Ferndale's Executive Director David Garcia said he was "dismayed and disappointed" by the news.

"As a former Boy Scout myself, I continue to be dismayed and disappointed by the homophobic actions taken by the Boy Scouts of America," he said. "Scouting should be a privilege enjoyed and experienced by all young men — gay or straight."

Garcia said the decision is "in direct contradiction" to the example set by the Girl Scouts or the U.S. military, both of which "recognize the immense talents and contributions of the gay community."

"History will not look favorably upon this dark moment in scouting," Garcia said.

Boy Scouts chief executive Bob Mazzuca said in a statement that most Scout families support the policy.

"The vast majority of the parents of youth we serve value their right to address issues of same-sex orientation within their family, with spiritual advisers and at the appropriate time and in the right setting," Mazzuca said. "We fully understand that no single policy will accommodate the many diverse views among our membership or society."

Garcia said churches that provide financial support to the Boy Scouts organization should be held accountable "for their continued support of homophobia and bigotry."

"At a time when so many young gay lives are being lost to suicide, the Boy Scouts of America has turned its back on morality and common decency. So much for bravery and kindness," Garcia said.

Read the full Huffington Post article here.