Despite national policy banning gays, the largest Boy Scout group in Minnesota will stay inclusive

Source: Star Tribune

Despite national policy banning gays, the largest Boy Scout group in Minnesota will stay inclusive

Article by: KELLY SMITH , Star Tribune
Updated: July 18, 2012 - 2:42 PM

Northern Star Council welcomes gay Scouts as BSA reaffirms policy to bar "open, avowed homosexuals."

Minnesota's biggest Boy Scout group said Tuesday that gays and lesbians remain welcome in its troops, despite a national announcement that the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) will continue to bar leaders, employees and members who are "open or avowed homosexuals."

"We're a reflection of the community," said Kent York, spokesman for the Northern Star Council, which has 75,000 Scouts in Minnesota and western Wisconsin. "Our commitment has been to reach out to all young people and have a positive influence."

York said that the Twin Cities-based Scout council, one of the nation's largest, will continue to follow a 12-year-old "inclusive leadership selection" practice.

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