Obama: Scouts should end gay ban because 'nobody should be barred' from Scouting opportunities

During an interview on CBS on Sunday, President Obama was asked about the Scouts renewed discussion of allowing gays into the organization.

"Next week, the board of the Boy Scouts of America is going to vote on whether to end their national ban on gays in scouting," asked anchor Scott Pelley. "Should scouting be open to gays?"

"Yes," President Obama said, because "my attitude is that gays and lesbians should have access and opportunity, the same way everybody else does, in every institution and walk of life. And, you know, the Scouts are a great institution, that are promoting young people and exposing them to opportunities and leadership that will serve people for the rest of their lives. And I think that nobody should be barred from that."

The organization's board will likely vote on Wednesday regarding whether the national ban should be lifted, reported Reuters. If it passes, local organizations will decide for themselves whether or not to allow gay members.

Watch the video, via CBS News, below.