The Boy Scouts of America have delayed their decision to allow the admittance of gays and lesbians into their organization. There was discussion last week by the BSA executive board over whether or not each troop should make the choice individually, however, this went highly criticized. The BSA has now gone back to the drawing board.

“After careful consideration and extensive dialogue within the Scouting family, along with comments from those outside the organization, the volunteer officers of the Boy Scouts of America’s National Executive Board concluded that due to the complexity of this issue, the organization needs time for a more deliberate review of its membership policy,” said the BSA’s public relations director, Deron Smith.

The board faces several choices, none of which is likely to quell the controversy. Possible changes in the policy — including the proposal to allow sponsors of local troops to decide for themselves on gay membership — will not be voted on until the organization’s annual meeting in May, the national executive board said at the conclusion of closed-door deliberations.