IRVING, Texas (AP) - Leaders of the Boy Scouts of America say they need more time, before a decision is made on whether to move away from the policy of excluding gays as scouts or adult leaders.
A proposed change would have allowed individual troops to decide whether to admit gays. But gay-rights supporters say no Scout units should be allowed to exclude gays, while some religious leaders whose churches sponsor troops are warning against easing the ban.
The Scouts' national council will decide the issue during a meeting in May.
President Barack Obama - Scouting's honorary president - spoke in favor of letting gay scouts in. Others opposed a shift. Protesters on both sides rallied at BSA headquarters in Irving, outside Dallas.
