On Friday, all seven of California’s Supreme Court justices voted unanimously to prohibit state judges from belonging to the Boy Scouts. While the Boy Scouts of America allows for the participation of openly gay boys, it prohibits gay and lesbian (LGBT) adults from serving as leaders — which angers the justices.
The decision came just days after the Supreme Court announced that it would arrive at a final decision on gay marriage in the United States by year’s end.
In 1996 the state Supreme Court banned judges from belonging to groups that discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation, but made an exception for nonprofit youth organizations, according to the Associated Press.
The AP notes that 47 states ban judges from joining discriminatory groups. Of those states, 22 including California prohibit judges from joining groups that show bias on the basis of sexual orientation. California was reportedly the only one of those states that made exceptions for youth groups.
Judges will reportedly have until Jan. 21, 2016 to comply with the new rule.
Follow Adelle Nazarian: @AdelleNaz.
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