BSA officially recognizes "den mothers" (women volunteers) for Cub Scout packs, marking the first formal role for adult women in supporting youth programs (primarily administrative and supervisory in dens for boys aged 8-10).
Young women (ages 14-20) are allowed to join special-interest Explorer posts (a BSA program for older youth) as non-registered associate" members. Adult women are permitted to serve as associate advisors and in other leadership positions in Exploring."
Full membership in Exploring is opened to young women (maximum age raised to 21), allowing co-educational posts based on chartered organizations' preferences. This is the first major inclusion of girls as full youth members in a BSA program.
Most Cub Scout leadership positions (e.g., den leaders) are opened to adult women. Catherine Pollard becomes the first woman to lead a Boy Scout troop (Troop 13 in Milford, Connecticut, serving as Scoutmaster from 1973-1975), though BSA does not officially recognize her until 1988 due to policies restricting women from Scoutmaster roles.
BSA adopts an official national policy banning gay scout leaders and members, stating that homosexuality is inconsistent with the Scout Oath's requirement to be "morally straight."
Curran v. Mount Diablo Council - Tim Curran, an openly gay former Scout, sues BSA after being denied an assistant Scoutmaster position. The case highlights early legal challenges to BSA's anti-gay policies but is ultimately unsuccessful for Curran.
BSA officially recognizes women as eligible to serve as Scoutmasters (leaders of Boy Scout troops for ages 11-17). Catherine Pollard's 1973-1975 service is retroactively acknowledged.
New Jersey Supreme Court rules in favor of Dale, finding BSA violated state laws prohibiting discrimination in public accommodations based on sexual orientation.
Boy Scouts of America v. Dale - U.S. Supreme Court rules 5-4 in favor of BSA, affirming its First Amendment right to expressive association and allowing exclusion of gay members and leaders as a private organization.
Boy Scouts of America v. Wyman - 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upholds Connecticut's decision to exclude BSA from a state workplace charitable campaign due to its anti-gay policies. (U.S. Supreme Court declines review in March 2004.)
Evans v. Berkeley - California Supreme Court rules Berkeley can deny free dock space to Sea Scouts (a BSA program) due to anti-gay discrimination. (U.S. Supreme Court declines review in October 2006.)
Cradle of Liberty Council v. City of Philadelphia - U.S. District Court rules in favor of BSA, finding Philadelphia's eviction attempt from city property violated BSA's First Amendment rights. (City ordered to pay legal fees in 2012.)
BSA National Council votes (61%-38%) to allow openly gay youth to join as members (effective January 1, 2014), while maintaining the ban on gay adult leaders.
BSA National Executive Board votes to lift the national ban on openly gay adult leaders and employees (effective immediately), allowing local units to set policies based on religious beliefs.
BSA announces it will allow transgender boys to enroll in boys-only programs, basing eligibility on gender identity listed on applications (effective immediately).
BSA Board of Directors unanimously votes to allow girls into Cub Scouts (starting 2018) and announces a program for older girls (ages 11-17) in 2019, enabling them to earn Eagle Scout.
BSA files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy amid thousands of lawsuits alleging sexual abuse by leaders and volunteers dating back decades, aiming to compensate survivors while continuing operations.
