Because of a Boy Scouts of America membership policy banning gay leaders from the group, The Walt Disney Company has given a notice to the BSA that they will cut all of their funding to the group starting in the year 2015.
Even though Disney does not directly give money to the organization, the VoluntEARS program at Disney allows BSA members to do volunteer work in exchange for cash funding.
"We believe every child deserves the opportunity to be a part of the Scouting experience, and we are disappointed in this decision because it will impact our ability to serve kids. America's youth need Scouting, and by continuing to focus on the goals that unite us, we continue to accomplish incredible things for young people and the communities we serve," said BSA spokesman, Deron Smith.
According to CNN, the Boy Scouts organization took a vote last year which resulted in allowing gay youths to join the group. However, gay Scout leaders are not allowed.
Disney has decided to end funding to the group because of their guidelines which are violated if they "discriminate in the provision of services unlawfully or in a manner inconsistent with Disney's policies on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, national origin, age, marital status, mental or physical ability, or sexual orientation."
NY Daily News noted that in 2010, the BSA raised $4.8 million after working a total of 548,000 hours through the Disney VoluntEARS program.
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