RICK PERRY, Governor of Texas, has expressed his opposition to a potential change in the rules of the scouting movement that will allow openly gay members to join the organisation.

RICK PERRY, Governor of Texas, has expressed his opposition to a potential change in the rules of the scouting movement that will allow openly gay members to join the organisation.

Perry, a former Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America, yesterday told a statewide gathering of scouts that such a change was not appropriate.

Scouting is about teaching a substantial amount of life lessons. Sexuality is not one of them. It never has been; it doesn’t need to be.

He told reporters after the event:

I think most people see absolutely no reason to change the position and neither do I.

According to this report, representatives from local scouting councils across the state gathered in Austin for the Report to State meeting.

Perry has authored On My Honor: Why the American Values of the Boy Scouts Are Worth Fighting For. His publisher says the book, among other things:

Explains the Scouts refusal to bend to the winds of political correctness by allowing activist homosexual scoutmasters.

The potential change to the Scouts’ rules follows protests after a den leader was forced out of her post because she is openly gay.

The organisation made no changes to their policies on gay membership after a recent lengthy internal review. But the issue is expected to resurface at a meeting this month.

One possible national policy would allow local chapters to determine whether to accept gay members. The statement said if the national board approved this, individual troops could dictate membership:

Consistent with each organization’s mission, principles, or religious beliefs.

On January 28, CNN reported that in April, the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation started calls for the Scouts to end its gay ban. The group has now applauded the possible lifting of the ban.

GLAAD President Herndon Graddick said:

The Boy Scouts of America have heard from scouts, corporations and millions of Americans that discriminating against gay Scouts and Scout leaders is wrong. Scouting is a valuable institution, and this change will only strengthen its core principles of fairness and respect.

The Boy Scouts of America are based in Irving, Texas, just outside of Dallas.

Hat tip: Canada Dave