Irving-based Boy Scouts will discuss removing sexual orientation restrictions

"This would mean there would no longer be any national policy regarding sexual orientation..."

IRVING — Moments ago, NBC News reported that the Boy Scouts of America, based in Irving, is “actively considering an end to its decades-long policy of banning gay scouts or scout leaders.” That report, by Pete Williams, is attributed to “scouting officials and outsiders familiar with internal discussions.”

We asked Deron Smith, the director of public relations for Boy Scouts of America, to confirm the report, which he did in a statement just emailed to The Dallas Morning News. The statement more or less corroborates the NBC report, in that Smith says the BSA is “discussing potentially removing the national membership restriction regarding sexual orientation.”

Here’s the full statement:

“For more than 100 years, Scouting’s focus has been on working together to deliver the nation’s foremost youth program of character development and values-based leadership training. Scouting has always been in an ongoing dialogue with the Scouting family to determine what is in the best interest of the organization and the young people we serve.

“Currently, the BSA is discussing potentially removing the national membership restriction regarding sexual orientation. This would mean there would no longer be any national policy regarding sexual orientation, and the chartered organizations that oversee and deliver Scouting would accept membership and select leaders consistent with each organization’s mission, principles, or religious beliefs. BSA members and parents would be able to choose a local unit that best meets the needs of their families.

“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. The Boy Scouts would not, under any circumstances, dictate a position to units, members, or parents. Under this proposed policy, the BSA would not require any chartered organization to act in ways inconsistent with that organization’s mission, principles, or religious beliefs.”

More to come.