Despite a call from activist groups, the Boy Scouts of America has decided to keep its controversial policy of not allowing gays to be scouts or scout leaders.

Following a two-year review to determine whether the longstanding policy was still in the organization’s best interests, the Boy Scouts convened a committee of senior volunteers and leaders after a resolution was put forth to reconsider it.

By a “unanimous consensus,” that committee decided the no-gays policy was the “best policy” for the BSA, said Scouts’ spokesman Deron Smith, adding, “The committee’s work and conclusion is that this policy reflects the beliefs and perspectives of the BSA’s members, thereby allowing Scouting to remain focused on its mission and the work it is doing to serve more youth.”

Zach Wahls, an Eagle Scout who is the son of a lesbian couple, had recently campaigned for changing the policy. He expressed disappointment in the decision, saying, “Regardless of your thoughts on homosexuality, surely we can agree that gay people who serve our troops and communities deserve our respect and gratitude.”

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