-- The Boy Scouts of America announced today that it would delay a vote on a controversial policy banning openly gay scouts and troop leaders.
"After careful consideration and extensive dialogue within the scouting family, along with comments from those outside the organization, the volunteer officers of the Boy Scouts of America's National Executive Board concluded that due to the complexity of this issue, the organization needs time for a more deliberate review of its membership policy," the Boy Scouts said in a statement.
-- The Family Research Council thought the delay was promising news. Gay rights, not so much.
"Every day that the Boy Scouts of America delay action is another day that discrimination prevails," said Human Rights Campaign President Chad Griffin. "Now is the time for action. Young Americans, gay and straight, are hurt by the inaction associated with today's news. The BSA leadership should end this awful policy once and for all, and open the proud tradition of Scouting to all."
-- The public, meanwhile, appears to be in favor of ending the ban. From a Quinnipiac University poll today, 55 vs 33 percent of voters say the Scouts should drop the ban.