Disney Cuts Boy Scouts Funds Over Gay Policy

The Boy Scouts of America lifted a ban on gay youths, but still restricts homosexual adults being part of the organisation.

The Boy Scouts of America is one of the largest youth groups in the US

By Sky News US Team

The Walt Disney Company will cut funding to the Boy Scouts of America starting next year due to a disagreement over its gay policy.

The Boy Scouts lifted a ban on gay youths last year, but Walt Disney is unhappy because the group is keeping a restriction on gay adult leaders.

The organisation says it is disappointed by Walt Disney's decision.

"We believe every child deserves the opportunity to be a part of the Scouting experience and we are disappointed in this decision because it will impact our ability to serve kids," a spokesman said.

Debate over the inclusion of gay members has been heated

Debate about the inclusion of gay members in the Boy Scouts led to protests last year.

Some conservative churches that sponsor scout units lobbied to continue excluding gay youths, even threatening to defect before the ban was lifted.

Disney does not provide direct funding to the Boy Scouts, but it donates money to some troops in exchange for volunteer hours completed by Disney employees.

Its donations will end in 2015.

The number of scouts has fallen in recent years to about 2.6 million from a peak of around four million. It also has one million adult leaders and volunteers.

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News Source: news.sky.com