The Walt Disney Company has announced it will stop providing grant money to the Boy Scouts of America in 2015 due to a BSA membership policy that bans gay leaders.
While Disney does not give money to the BSA or local councils, the BSA has acquired funds through Disney's VoluntEARS program, according to CNN. Employees do volunteer work in exchange for cash donations to their choice of charities.
BSA spokesman Deron Smith stated his opinion on the decision and the impact it has on scouting, CNN reported.
"We believe every child deserves the opportunity to be a part of the Scouting experience, and we are disappointed in this decision because it will impact our ability to serve kids," Smith said. "America's youth need Scouting, and by continuing to focus on the goals that unite us, we continue to accomplish incredible things for young people and the communities we serve."
According to Los Angeles Times, gays were only recently allowed to join the Boy Scouts. The ban on gay children was lifted on Jan. 1, but the ban against adult Scout Leaders remained.
A Disney spokesperson said the company did not have an official comment to make on the decision, Orlando Sentinel reported. However, she stated Disney, which is considered to be a gay-friendly employer, has a policy of not giving grants to groups that "operate or support activities that are counter to the policies of The Walt Disney Company".
Robert Utsey, president of the Scouts' Central Florida Council, sent an email to scout leaders and parents this weekend about Disney's decision to discontinue funding for the program, according to Orlando Sentinel.
Utsey's letter was posted on the Scout's for Equality website, Los Angeles Times reported. The Scout's for Equality advocate against the ban on gay leaders. Utsey said the National Boy Scouts of America Council had reached out to Disney to resolve the issue.
"However, according to [Walt Disney World], their views do not currently align with the BSA," Utsey said. "We will continue to keep an open line of communication with them, but at this time, are unable to reverse their decision."
