Both Sides React to Boy Scouts’ Delay in Gay Ban Decision

Associated Press Thursday February 7, 2013

The Boy Scouts of America has backed off a proposal to ease its policy of excluding gays and delayed a vote until May. Some comments from both sides of the debate:

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"Due to the complexity of this issue, the organization needs time for a more deliberate review of its membership policy." - Deron Smith, Boy Scouts of America spokesman

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"The decision from the Boy Scouts today is no doubt a victory. And it's a result of people standing up and standing for the timeless values and moral principles that the Boy Scouts teach and they stand for themselves." - Jonathan Saenz, president of Texas Values

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"My attitude is that gays and lesbians should have access and opportunity the same way everybody else does in every institution and walk of life." - President Barack Obama, whose office also makes him honorary president of the BSA

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"They failed us yet again ... Putting this off until May only ensures other gay kids and gay parents are discarded." - Jennifer Tyrrell, a mother ousted as leader of her son's Cub Scout pack in Ohio because she is a lesbian.

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"It's not a place to have homosexuals with our boys. If this happens, we're shutting down our troop." - Scoutmaster Darrel Russell

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"By postponing this decision, thousands of currently active Scouts still remain uncertain about their future in the program and are shamed into silence." - Brad Hankins, campaign director of Scouts for Equality

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"And I'm so thankful that we live in a land where we can respect your right to disagree. But we ask you to respect our right to uphold the values that we have held for over a hundred years." - Scout leader Chris Hill

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"I would have liked them to have made a decision in favor of what the Boy Scouts have been doing all along anyway. But the fact that they postponed it means that they are listening to everybody that's giving them information and opinions and requesting that they consider their viewpoint ... so that part, I'm impressed with." - Larry Weseman, Eagle Scout and Scout leader

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"We consider it a victory for today. And we are thankful that they are really considering what we are asking them to do, which is to hold strong to the policy that they have had for years." - Michelle Smith, associate director of Concerned Women of America

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