Since 1991, openly homosexual individuals have been officially prohibited from leadership positions in the Boy Scouts of America.[12] A 1991 Position Statement states: We believe that homosexual conduct is inconsistent with the requirement in the Scout Oath that a Scout be morally straight and in the Scout Law that a Scout be clean in word and deed, and that homosexuals do not provide a desirable role model for Scouts.[4] The BSA thus "believes that a known or avowed homosexual is not an appropriate role model of the Scout Oath and Law."[13]
The language used to describe the BSA's policies on homosexual individuals has evolved over time. In a 1993 position statement, BSA said:
"We do not allow for the registration of avowed homosexuals as members or as leaders of the BSA."[14]
In 2004, the BSA adopted a new policy statement, including the following as a "Youth Leadership" policy:
"Boy Scouts of America believes that homosexual conduct is inconsistent with the obligations in the Scout Oath and Scout Law to be morally straight and clean in thought, word, and deed. The conduct of youth members must be in compliance with the Scout Oath and Law, and membership in Boy Scouts of America is contingent upon the willingness to accept Scoutings values and beliefs. Most boys join Scouting when they are 10 or 11 years old. As they continue in the program, all Scouts are expected to take leadership positions. In the unlikely event that an older boy were to hold himself out as homosexual, he would not be able to continue in a youth leadership position."[13]