WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 1: President Barack Obama reaches to shake the hand of George Carruthers to award him the National Medal of Technology and Innovation in a ceremony at the White House on February 1, 2013 in Washington, DC. The National Medal of Science recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to science and engineering, while the National Medal of Technology and Innovation recognizes those who have made lasting contributions to America's competitiveness and quality
WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama says the Boy Scouts of America should open its membership to gays and lesbians when its national executive board discusses the issue this week.
Obama praised the scouts as "a great institution" that promotes young people, giving them lifelong leadership training and opportunities. During a pre-Super Bowl interview on CBS, he said "no one should be barred from that."
The Boy Scouts announced last week it was considering replacing its longstanding ban on gays with a policy to let troop sponsors make their own decision on the issue.
The White House said last summer during the presidential campaign that Obama he opposed the Scouts' policy of excluding gays as members.
Gay rights activists praised last week's announcement, while some conservative church groups expressed alarm.
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