A decades-old policy that has sparked numerous controversies may soon come to an end, as the Boy Scouts of America on Monday announced it is close to ending its ban on gay scouts or leaders.

According to a report by NBC News, the new policy being considered would remove the ban from the national organization’s rules. However, local chapters will retain the freedom to consider whether to allow gay scouts within their members.

Last July, the organization stood firm on its ban on homosexuals, reaffirming that it was “absolutely the best policy” for the organization, more than 100 years after being formulated. 

A month prior, the youth development organization faced heavy scrutiny for dismissing den mother Jennifer Tyrell from her 7-year-old son’s Tiger Cub pack in April because of her sexual orientation. A petition was uploaded to change.org demanding that Tyrell be reinstated.

To contact the editor, e-mail: