SALT LAKE CITY — Winger's Roadhouse Grill announced Thursday its sponsorship of Utah's "Scout-O-Rama" after Chipotle Mexican Grill pulled its sponsorship because of the Boy Scouts of America's ban on gays.

Chipotle initially signed on as a sponsor of the annual Boy Scouts event, which is to take place on May 4 in Salt Lake City, committing to approximately $4,200 worth of coupons. On March 19, Chipotle decided to withdraw its support, saying its anti-discrimination policy states that the company should not support organizations that exclude based on sexual orientation.

Winger's chose to fill the void, saying the company values diversity in the communities and the support of all people. As a result, Winger's will also support Utah's LGBTQ community with a donation of equal value to the Utah Pride Center.

"We urge the leaders of the Great Salt Lake Council and Boy Scouts of America to arrive at a resolution that is appropriate for their organization and its continued involvement with the future of America's youth," Winger's said in a prepared statement. "When that time comes, Winger's Roadhouse Grill will determine its continued involvement. Until then, Winger's Roadhouse Grill wishes all involved with Scout-O-Rama a fun and successful event."

"We just felt like the Boy Scouts are obviously as an organization wading through a difficult decision and we just thought it would be a good time to support them," added Winger's CEO Eric Slaymaker. "We understand that they're wading through some tough calls and trying to be fair to everybody."

Slaymaker said they chose to match funds for the Utah Pride Center because "we support them, too."

Other Utah businesses, Utah Sports Lodge and Madeline's Steakhouse, have also committed to sponsor the Scout-O-Rama as a way to make up for Chipotle's absence.

"These local businesses are wonderful," said district director David McCammon. "They could see that the pullout of Chipotle really would harm the youth more than anyone, and that's what Scouting is all about — the youth that are learning life skills and citizenship. We're really gratified by the groundswell of local community support for our program."

The decision made by Chipotle to withdraw from the Scouting event comes as the BSA's national executive board considers a change to its policy of not admitting gays into the organization. In February, the BSA decided to postpone their decision, electing to vote at a later date.

BSA official policy states that the organization does not "proactively inquire" about the sexual orientation of its employees, volunteers or members, but does not "grant membership to individuals who are open or avowed homosexuals or who engage in behavior that would become a distraction to the mission of the BSA.

"Scouting believes same-sex attraction should be introduced and discussed outside of its program with parents, caregivers, or spiritual advisers, at the appropriate time and in the right setting," the policy continues. "The vast majority of parent we serve value this right and do not sign their children up for Scouting for it to introduce or discuss, in any way, these topics."

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Chipotle pulls sponsorship of Utah Boy Scout event

Chipotle Mexican Grill has pulled its sponsorship of Utah's "Scout-O-Rama" because of the Boy Scouts of America's long-standing ban on gays.

Following the BSA's decision to postpone a potential policy change, the Great Salt Lake Council issued a statement, saying the Council "opposes any change to the current membership policy without complete and open discussion and deliberation with professionals, volunteers, parents, chartered partners, and all other stakeholders of the organization.

"We reaffirm the mission of the BSA," the statement continues, "which is 'to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law.' "

Earlier this month, the BSA sent out a questionnaire to its approximately 1.1 million adult Scouts, posing fictional questions about homosexuality, camping with gay members and gays in church leadership.

Utah's Scouts council is one of the largest in the country, with approximately 5,500 troops and 73,400 youth members. A majority of the troops in Utah are associated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Winger's Roadhouse Grill first opened in Bountiful in 1993 and has expanded to 22 locations throughout the state. Winger's also has locations in Idaho, Oregon, Nevada and Wyoming.

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