President Obama and his Republican challenger Mitt Romney agree on something: Both say the Boy Scouts of America should end its ban on gay members.

Romney voiced his opposition to the ban in a 1994 debate, when he was running for a seat in the United States Senate. A Romney campaign aide confirmed his stance this week.

Earlier this week, the White House issued a statement to The Washington Blade, a newspaper for members of the LGBT community.

"The president believes the Boy Scouts is a valuable organization that has helped educate and build character in American boys for more than a century," The White House statement said. "He also opposes discrimination in all forms, and as such opposes this policy that discriminates on basis of sexual orientation."

The Boy Scouts recently reaffirmed its ban on gay scouts and leaders, following a two-year review of the policy.

This is the first time the president has taken a public position on the issue.

The organization named Obama its honorary president in 2009, an honor that allowed him to join the ranks of every American president since 1910.

Each president has held an honorary post with the scouts organization during his term in office.