Bill Gates: Boy Scouts Gay Ban Should Be Lifted, He Says [Video]

Microsoft founder and former Boy Scout Bill Gates said the Boy Scouts of America should end the controversial ban on gay members and leaders at a Politico event this week.

After talking about his time with the scouts, he was asked if the Boy Scouts should rescind its ban. He immediately said "Absolutely."

When asked why, Gates said, "Because it's 2013." His response garnered applause from the audience.

Gates said he learned how to tie knots, hike long distances and how to cook food in the rain when he was a scout.

Nowadays, Gates said he still goes hiking with his kids.

On March 12, the Associated Press reported that the Boy Scout of America surveyed their members on potential policy changes.

Questionnaires were distributed to 1.1 adult Scouts that asked hypothetical questions to see how strongly Scouts feel about the ban on gay scouts and members.

According to the AP, the third question is, "Bob is 15 years old, and the only openly gay Scout in a Boy Scout troop. Is it acceptable or unacceptable for the troop leader to allow Bob to tent with a heterosexual boy on an overnight camping trip?"

The Scouts National Council will vote on a resolution to modify or rescind the ban in May.