Gov. Scott Walker is declining to weigh in on whether gays should be allowed in the Boy Scouts of America, the Associated Press reported.
Walker was asked about the issue Thursday following a speech at an economic development conference. Walker obtained the Boy Scouts' highest rank of Eagle Scout.
Boy Scout of America officials reviewed their anti-gay ban at a board meeting on Wednesday and decided to postpone any action on the issue until May. Eagle Scouts in Wisconsin have been pressuring the governor, who's had numerous gays and lesbians work for him over the years, to take a stand for equality.
The Democratic Party of Wisconsin tweeted Wisconsin Family Action, the state's leading anti-gay group, earlier this week asking if Walker's office stood with WFA in its opposition to lifting the ban. The organization replied with with a tweet suggesting there might be tension over the issue between Walker and the state's influential far-right religious community: "We don't speak for @Gov.Walker's admin. His office can be reached at 608-266-1212."
Walker told reporters yesterday that when he was in the Scouts, the topic never came up. He said because the Boy Scouts are a private organization he doesn't want to weigh in on their policies.
"I've got enough troubles and challenges dealing with what I have in state government to take on anybody else's challenges," Walker said.
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