Mormon Church Endorses Boy Scouts’ Rule Change on Gays

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said Thursday that it supports the Boy Scouts of America’s proposal to allow gay youths to join troops, says the Los Angeles Times.

The Mormon Church, which has historically opposed same-sex marriage, has close ties to the scouting movement. Church officials said in a statement that they are “satisfied that BSA has made a thoughtful, good-faith effort to address issues that, as they have said, remain ‘among the most complex and challenging issues facing the BSA and society today.’ ”

The Boy Scouts announced last week that it would put a proposal to end the longstanding prohibition on gay Scouts but retain a ban on homosexual troop leaders to a vote by its national council in May. The resolution came after the organization held more than 250 town-hall-style meeting nationwide and surveyed members about the gay policy.