 In May 2015 , Boy Scouts of America President Robert Gates said it was time to end the ban on gay leaders . Gates said , it “ cannot be sustained , ” any longer . On July 10 , 2015 , the Boy Scouts of America Executive Committee agreed , and referred the matter to the National Executive Board . On July 27 , 2015 , the Boy Scouts of America National Executive Board voted to lift the organization 's blanket ban on openly gay leaders and employees . Local chartering organizations are still permitted to set their own standards based on religious principle for selecting the adult volunteers for their unit . 
