Dallas, Texas, Jan 31, 2017 / 17:19 pm
Citing legal and community changes, the Boy Scouts of America have said self-declared gender identity now determines youth eligibility for its scouting programs. The move could add new difficulties for Catholic sponsors of scout troops trying to adapt to the organization's relatively new policy on homosexuality.
"Starting today, we will accept and register youth in the Cub and Boy Scout programs based on the gender identity indicated on the application," the Boy Scouts of America said Jan. 30.
The statement said its local councils will "help find units that can provide for the best interest of the child."
The statement said Cub Scouting and Boy Scouting are "specifically designed to meet the needs of boys." In previous years, the organizations have used individuals' birth certificates to determine whether they are eligible for single-sex programs.