N. Idaho Sheriff May Drop Boy Scout Charter after Decision on Gay Scouts

COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho (AP) — A northern Idaho sheriff says he's compelled to drop the department's Boy Scouts of America charter after the organization opened its ranks to gay Scouts. Kootenai County Sheriff Ben Wolfinger tells the Coeur d'Alene Press in a story on Saturday that the organization is promoting a lifestyle that's against Idaho law.

Wolfinger says he sent a copy of the state law banning sodomy to the Inland Northwest Council of Boy Scouts. Tim McCandless of the Northwest Council says sodomy is not allowed in scouting and shouldn't be part of the discussion.

The organization on Thursday approved a plan to accept openly gay boys as Scouts. A ban on gay adult leaders remains. Wolfinger says he's also concerned BSA will eventually lift the ban on gay adult leaders.