Gay Ban lifted by American Boy Scouts

The Boy Scouts of America organisation has voted to end the ban on openly gay members.

The controversial ban has caused a deep divide in America but will come to an end on January 1st. The ban has been in place for a number of years but more recently has become more controversial as society becomes more tolerant of homosexuality.  With the legalisation of same-sex marriage, in several states, and society becoming more tolerant the ban to many seemed out of place in the 21st century.

According to BBC News more than 60% of the council members, of the Boy Scouts of America, voted to repeal the bill. However, while gay members will now be allowed within the organisation the ban on gay leaders will remain in place something likely to cause continuing controversy. The repealing of the bill was, unsurprising, opposed by conservative and right-wing religious elements.

Amongst those to speak out in favour of the bill remaining in place were Rick Perry and Rick Santorum both of whom ran to be the Republican Presidential candidate in 2012; they both lost of to Mitt Romney who was eventually selected and lost the Presidential election as Barack Obama was re-elected for a second term. The campaign against the repealing of the ban drew some criticism as some commentators tried to draw links between homosexuality and paedophiles prompting much back-lash.