The Boy Scouts of America announced that it will postpone the vote on whether or not to allow gay members and leaders until May, the Associated Press reported.

The delay was announced Wednesday after three days of closed-door meetings by the BSA's national executive board. 

BSA national spokesman Deron Smith said that the organization "needs time for a more deliberate review of its membership policy." He added that the board would prepare a resolution to be voted on my the 1,400 member national council the week of May 20.

Last week, officials announced that the organization was considering lifting the national ban on gay youths and leaders. Instead, the decision to allow gay membership would be left up to local Scout troops.

"We consider it a victory for today. And we are thankful that they are really considering what we are asking them to do, which is to hold strong to the policy that they have had for years," said Michelle Smith, associate director of Concerned Women of America.

President Barack Obama weighed in on the issue in an interview on Sunday. He told CBS News that the Scouts should allow gay members.

"My attitude is that gays and lesbians should have access and opportunity the same way everybody else does, in every institution and walk of life," Obama said.

"The Scouts are a great institution that are promoting young people and exposing them to opportunities and leadership that will serve people for the rest of their lives. And I think nobody should be barred from that."