The Boy Scouts of America made history today by approving a resolution that will allow gay youth to participate. The Boy Scouts' ban on gay adults will remain intact. The new membership standards, which state that 'no youth may be denied membership in the Boy Scouts of America on the basis of sexual orientation or preference alone,' will take effect on January 1, 2014. Many celebrities have taken to Twitter to share their excitement over this victory and continue to call for full inclusion of gay parents and leaders.
“@bostonglobe: BREAKING: Boy Scouts approve plan to accept openly gay boys as Scouts; ban on gay adult leaders remains - @ap” 1/2 way there!
— Eliza Dushku (@elizadushku) May 23, 2013
“@tietheknotorg: BREAKING: Boy Scouts approve proposal to allow gay youth. Ban on leaders still remains.” Good step forward #BoyScouts
— Jesse Tyler Ferguson (@jessetyler) May 23, 2013
The Nat'l Council of Boy Scouts just voted to lift the ban on gay scouts. A great step forward. #BoyScouts
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) May 23, 2013
RT @trevorproject: RT @glaad: BREAKING NEWS The #BoyScouts vote to end the ban on gay Scouts! glaad.org/scoutstwitter.com/glaad/status/3…
— BeBe Zahara Benet (@BeBeZaharaBenet) May 24, 2013
As a former scout, I hope the #BoyScouts of today can be wholly inclusive & equal. Www.Glaad.org/scouts#tbttwitter.com/JustinMikita/s…
— Justin Mikita (@JustinMikita) May 23, 2013
I support equality in the #BoyScouts. End the ban on gay scouts and leaders! glaad.org/scouts
— Andy Mientus (@andymientus) May 23, 2013
Boy Scouts vote to lift the ban on gay scouts. . Congrats to @glaad and all those kids who want to scout glaad.org/scouts
— Laverne Cox (@Lavernecox) May 23, 2013
The #BoyScouts vote to end the ban on gay Scouts! glaad.org/scoutstwitter.com/glaad/status/3… FIRST STEP to Complete VICTORY! #fighton!
— Wilson Cruz (@wcruz73) May 23, 2013
Its finaly legal for gay boys 2 be in the #boyscouts its about time & y has this taken so long gays hav been camping it up their whole lives
— Phillip Bloch (@phillipbloch) May 24, 2013
Boy Scouts will start accepting gay youths, but keep banning gay adult leaders. That's not at all a confusing message to these kids.
— Jason Biggs (@JasonBiggs) May 23, 2013
Success!!!! First domino down!!!! RT “@glaad: BREAKING NEWS: The #BoyScouts vote to end the ban on gay Scouts! glaad.org/scouts#lgbt
— Omar Sharif Jr. (@OmarSharifJr) May 23, 2013
“@glaad: #BoyScouts to allow gay youth glaad.org/blog/breaking-…#LGBT” amazing! Now let's push forward with equality for leaders and parents!
— Ali Adler (@AliAdler) May 23, 2013
RT @jessetyler Boy Scouts approve proposal to allow gay youth. Ban on leaders still remains. Good step forward #BoyScouts> I agree! xx
— Marlee Matlin (@MarleeMatlin) May 24, 2013
GLAAD, in association with Change.org, Scouts for Equality (SFE), and the Inclusive Scouting Network (ISN), delivered over 1.8 million signatures to the BSA urging them to drop their discriminatory ban on gay members.
For photos, video, resources and more, please visit http://glaad.org/scouts
For a full timeline of events leading up to today's vote, please visit http://glaad.org/scouts