The Mormon church announced today it is no longer participating in two Boy Scouts of America programs for older teenagers.
The change will affect more than 185,000 boys in the United States and Canada. Beginning in January 2018, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is cutting ties with the Boy Scouts Varsity and Venturing programs, which are both youth development activities.
The announcement comes just months after the Boy Scouts began accepting transgender boys into the program. The church said this did not influence its decision, but national LGBTQ advocates are skeptical.