The Boys Scouts of America’s national executive board has delayed its decision on whether to lift a longtime ban on gay scouts and leaders, it announced Wednesday. According to a statement on the Boy Scouts site , action will instead be taken in May at the group’s National Annual Meeting. “… due to the complexity of this issue, the organization needs time for a more deliberate review of its membership policy.” The board says it plans to continue meeting with representatives of Scouting membership to hear perspectives and concerns. This all comes after last week, when the Boy Scouts said it would consider a policy change -- that policy has led officials to remove gay leaders and scouts. The ban has long been a highly controversial one. On Sunday, President Barack Obama -- the Scouts’ honorary president -- said the group should allow gay members.