Bank of America, Boy Scouts Settle Dispute Over Gays

BankAmerica Corp. has announced that it will again consider the Boy Scouts of America eligible to receive its charitable support after briefly suspending contributions because of concern about the group’s ban against homosexuals.

The bank said in June that it no longer considered the Boy Scouts eligible for support. But bank officials said Thursday that after meeting with Scouting officials, they were satisfied that the group’s membership policies provide “full access and equal opportunity.”

More than 300 people had picketed branches of Bank of America and Wells Fargo Bank in June to protest the banks’ decision to stop funding the Boy Scouts because of the ban.

“For over a half a century, Bank of America has been a friend and supporter of the Boy Scouts,” Executive Vice President Donald A. Mullane said. “We’re pleased to have reached this understanding that will allow that support to continue and be consistent with the corporation’s long-held belief in equal opportunity.”