“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,” the group announced in a statement.

Leaders of the organization reportedly wanted more time to deliberate the controversial issue, which would have for the first time in the organization’s century-long history opened the door for gay scouts. The decision is now expected in May of this year, and will now be decided by the organization’s full 1,400-member national council.