Wisconsin church severs ties with Boy Scouts

The Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ in Madison has severed ties with a Boy Scout troop because of the organizations policy of excluding gays from membership and leadership positions, the Associated Press reports. The Scouting policy is inconsistent with our policy of affirming and welcoming gay and lesbian people, said the Rev. Winton Boyd, the congregations pastor. The First Congregational Church is also considering cutting ties with a troop it has sponsored for 80 years because of the Boy Scouts stance, said Jerry Hancock, a member of the churchs board of directors. The Wisconsin churches are the latest in a string of organizations that have relinquished ties with the Scouts after the U.S. Supreme Court in June upheld the groups ban on gay Scout leaders. Wisconsin United Way organizations are also considering withdrawing their support of the Scouts.