HACKENSACK, NJ, Mar 3 (LSN) - A New Jersey state appeals court ruled Monday that the Boy Scouts of America discriminated against James Dale, an assistant scoutmaster, when it barred him from the organization for practicing homosexuality. The Boy Scouts argued unsuccessfully that it was protected by a constitutional right of free association and was exempt as a private, voluntary association from anti-discrimination laws. The case was the first to be tried under a six-year-old measure adding “sexual orientation” to New Jersey’s anti-discrimination law. Spokesman Gregg Shields said “we have membership and leadership standards, and one of those is that you cannot be an avowed homosexual.” The Boy Scouts of America will appeal the decision to the state Supreme Court and to higher courts if necessary, Shields added.