Merck’s charitable foundation has stopped giving money to the Boy Scouts of America, saying the exclusion of gays from its ranks and leadership positions conflicts with the pharmaceutical company’s nondiscrimination policy.
The Merck Foundation says it will reconsider giving money to the Boy Scouts if they change their policy on sexual orientation.
Merck CEO Kenneth C. Frazier was a scout in his youth. He received the “Good Scout” Award from the Philadelphia Cradle of Liberty Boy Scout Council in June.
Records show the foundation gave $30,000 to The Boy Scouts of America in 2011 and $10,000 to the Cradle of Liberty Council.
