POLL: Does Ban on Gays Hurt Boy Scout Organization?

A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent — but not gay.

After a two-year review, the Boy Scouts of America on Tuesday reaffirmed its decision to exclude homosexuals from participating in the 112-year-old organization's events.

The group cited parental support, as being the main driver in keeping the policy.

Deron Smith, a national spokesman for the Boy Scouts, told The Associated Press that an 11-member committee thought the decision "is absolutely the best policy" for the organization.

However the decision has drawn criticism from the gay community. Darlene Nipper, deputy executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, told AP that the Scouts, "have turned their backs on a chance to demonstrate fairness, exercise sound judgment, and serve as a role model for valuing others."

What do you think? Should the Boy Scouts accept openly gay members into the organization? Should the organization be allowed to limit membership?

Vote in our poll and then sound off in the comments section below.