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GRAPEVINE, Texas — The Boy Scouts of America on Tuesday said the organization would continue to deny gay people membership, saying that the policy “is in the best interest of Scouting.”

The decision is the result of a two-year evaluation by the organization prompted by repeated criticism, as well as support, for the policy, the organization said in a statement.

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“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,” said Bob Mazzuca, chief scout executive of Boy Scouts of America.

“While a majority of our membership agrees with our policy, we fully understand that no single policy will accommodate the many diverse views among our membership or society,” he said.

The study, which began in 2010, was done by a committee of volunteers and professional leaders that reflected “a diversity of perspectives and opinions,” the organization stated.