MERCK FOUNDATION SUSPENDS FUNDING TO BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA OVER ITS ANTI-GAY POLICIES

The Merck Foundation has joined Intel and UPS in cutting off funds to the Boy Scouts of America over the group's anti-gay policies

The Merck Foundation's Brian Grill penned a letter outlining the decision, which reads in part:

"The Merck Foundation believes that it is critical to honor and support a foundational policy of diversity and inclusion in all funding decisions. Recently, the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) restated its policy that excludes members on the basis of sexual orientation. The BSA’s policy of exclusion directly conflicts with the Merck Foundation’s giving guidelines.

We know that many of you have personally contributed to the BSA and that this decision may be upsetting to some of you. However, we cannot continue to provide support to an organization with a policy that is contrary to one of our core beliefs. We remain ready and willing to re-consider our funding position in the event that the BSA were to revise its policy."