Having worked on trying to get the Boy Scouts to end its discriminatory policies for 25 years, I am torn by today's vote by Scouting to no longer kick out gay youth.
Lambda Legal has been seeking an end to the Boy Scouts' discriminatory ban against openly gay and bisexual members and leaders for more than 20 years, all the way to the Supreme Court.
Thomas W. Ude, Jr., Counsel and Government Misconduct Program Strategist
Q: I am an Eagle Scout and I am gay. Having been involved with the Boy Scouts since I was six years old, I would like to become a scoutmaster for my local troop, but I don’t want to hide my sexual orientation. What should I do?
Lambda Legal fought the Boy Scouts’ discriminatory practices all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. Although our landmark case did not succeed in changing the Scouts’ policies, it advanced the discussion about the needs of gay youth.
