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SALT LAKE CITY — Utah Boy Scout leaders say the local councils seem to be unaffected by a recent resolution allowing openly and avowed gay Scouts to participate.
Leaders from the Salt Lake, Trapper Trails and Utah National Parks councils said the resolution allowing all Scouts — regardless of sexual orientation — to participate drew a lot of attention, but few changes in participation, donations or in the way it operates.
"I don't think you're going to see even a wrinkle in how that functions here in Utah," said Scout Executive Dave Pack of the Utah National Parks Scout Council. You're not going to see a big difference when you go on a campout, you're not going to see a difference when you go to Scout camp."
Scout leaders admitted Tuesday on KSL Newsradio's Doug Wright Show that there has been strong negative reaction, but from very few individuals.
They're predicting day-to-day operations of the Scouts will soon overshadow the short-term, hype news the resolution generated.
"We do hear from people who are struggling with this, and I completely understand that. Change is hard," said Trapper Trails Boy Scout Council Scout Executive Allen Endicott. "Even though this isn't a huge change in the way a unit operates, the perception of change is hard."
Scout leaders said the Boy Scouts of America has always been about leadership, and values like honesty. They said none of that has changed, but has been enhanced.
