A charity is sending a strong message to the Boy Scouts of America by refusing to give money.
The Greater Susquehanna Valley United Way is withholding thousands over the scouts' stance on gay leaders. The decision announced late last night will cut more than $11,000 of funding to the Susquehanna Council of Boy Scouts.
That council serves five counties in Central Pennsylvania: Snyder, Northumberland, Clinton, Union, and Lycoming.
The funding cuts come as a direct response to the banning of openly gay scout leaders. The council applied for the United Way funding for its Prepared for Life Program to train hundreds of adult volunteers leaders, along with thousands of youth members.
The Greater Susquehanna Valley United Way members said in a statement that it funds programs that reflect the value and practice of welcoming people of diverse backgrounds and that the Boy Scout's new policy isn't reflective of their priorities and mission.
The United Way went on to say there is a need for programs like the Boy Scouts and hope in the future the Boy Scouts will be eligible to receive funding.
More than 2,500 kids and 1,200 adults are members of the Boy Scout Council in central Pennsylvania.
Boy Scout councils across the nation decided to ban openly gay adults back in May.