The charity arm of shipping company UPS says it will no longer offer grants to the Boy Scouts of America as long as BSA leadership continue to exclude gays and lesbians from being scouts or scout leaders.
UPS made the change after an online petition protesting the foundation's annual grants to the Boy Scouts attracted more than 80,000 signatures.
The UPS Foundation donated $150,000 to the Boy Scouts in 2010, but it’s isn’t clear how much they gave in 2011.
UPS and several other corporations have been subject to protest for their donations to the BSA. UPS’ about-face occurred after Iowa-resident Zach Wahls created a petition on Change.org urging the company to reverse course.
Earlier this year the BSA reaffirmed their ban on openly gay scouts. The organization also denied Ryan Andresen, a 12-year member of the scouts, his Eagle Scout award because he is gay. Andresen’s mother has also started a petition on Change.org which currently has over 77,000 digital signatures.
UPS spokeswoman Kristen Petrella says groups applying for grants must adhere to the same standards UPS does. The company says it does not discriminate against anyone based on race, religion, disability or sexual orientation.
The UPS Foundation distributed $45.3 million in grants last year.
