Well, it’s a start. Today the National Council of the Boy Scouts of America voted to allow openly gay scouts, but discrimination against gay adults will remain in effect.
According to GLAAD “approximately 1,400 members of the Boy Scouts National Council convened in Grapevine, Texas today and the resolution passed 61.4%. The new membership standards, which state that ‘no youth may be denied membership in the Boy Scouts of America on the basis of sexual orientation or preference alone,’ will take effect on January 1, 2014.”
The media watchdog group has been instrumental in getting the ban lifted and vows to continue working for full inclusion of gay parents and leaders.
“The Boy Scouts of America heard from religious leaders, corporate sponsors and so many Scouting families who want an end to discrimination against gay people, and GLAAD will continue this work with those committed to equality in Scouting until gay parents and adults are able to participate,” GLAAD spokesperson Rich Ferraro said in a statement.
“Today’s vote ending discrimination of gay Scouts is truly a historic moment and demonstrates the Boy Scouts of America’s commitment to creating a more inclusive organization,” said Zach Wahls, Eagle Scout and Founder of Scouts for Equality. “Scouts for Equality is honored to be a part of the movement that has achieved a tremendous victory towards the fight for equality in America and we are proud to call ourselves Scouts. We look forward to the day where we can celebrate inclusion of all members and are committed to continuing our work until that occurs.”
The BSA’s ban on gay leaders and Scouts has been widely criticized, with Scouts turning in their badges, corporations dropping their sponsorships and even President Obama called them out on their discriminatory policy. Twice.
Some troops have openly flounced the ban, while Scouting enthusiasts have chosen to start their own, inclusive troops away from the BSA’s bigotry.
In 2000, former Assistant Scoutmaster James Dale took the Boy Scouts to court after he was kicked out for being gay. The case went all the way to the Supreme Court, where the Justices ruled 5-4 that opposition to homosexuality is part of the BSA’s “expressive message.”
Red Meat
So its okay to be black when you’re a kid but not when you’re an adult? – 1930
Billysees
” We look forward to the day where we can celebrate inclusion of all members and are committed to continuing our work until that occurs. ” said Zach Wahls, Eagle Scout and Founder of Scouts for Equality.
Ron Jackson
errr….apparently they don’t thing gay kids grow up to be gay adults. BSA is laughable.
But take heart, this too shall pass because eventually the stuffy old curmudgeons will die off.
Ron Jackson
errr….apparently they don’t think gay kids grow up to be gay adults. BSA is laughable.
But take heart, this too shall pass because eventually the stuffy old curmudgeons will die off.
smithster11
I don’t think the correct word is “flounced”.
Harley
For those parents who would pull their kids out of the BSA over this policy and join a more “Christian” group, there is always the “Kids for the KKK”. The camping activities includes pitching tents “over their heads” and starting fires using giant wooden crosses. Of course they would only camp in the front yards of those deemed less than human. Good Christians all. Maybe some “Christian Soldier” will enter a Boy Scout troop house and blow his head off with a shotgun to prove how “bad” this policy is, a la Norte dame cathedral in France. Now THATS a way to show “Christian” commitment.
2eo
@Harley: I’m absolutely hoping this becomes a thing. I really, really want more christians to kill themselves, millions of copycats please.
Please.
No really, do it, your god demands it.
Cam
Boyscouts vote to continue discriminating against gays as scoutmasters.
alexoloughlin
Baden Powell who founded the Boy Scout movement in the UK was probably a repressed gay. Hewas keen on amateur theatricals at the prestigious Charterhouse public (private) school where among other roles he played female operatic roles. In the army he made a speciality of female roles and would often make his own dresses. His stage speciality was what he called his skirt dance He disclosed to a close friend Kenneth McLaren that he admired the male form.
That said, the British Boy Scouts welcome gay members including those who go on to become adult leaders. Perhaps a message of condemnation from the leadership of the British Boy Scouts across the pond might help shame them.
loua61
There is a post about this on yahoo, I like to read the comments sometimes about various articles they post. I cannot believe the hate and stupidity people spew about this. It is so sad how much hate and ignorance there is in this world. Such a waste of energy and so sad to live your life with so much hate in your soul. I am so happy I do not have such negativity in my soul.
Billysees
@loua61: No. 10
Such a “super-truthful” comment you made here it “must” be repeated.
And it should be repeated all over the world —
” I cannot believe the hate and stupidity people spew about this.
It is so sad how much hate and ignorance there is in this world.
Such a waste of energy and so sad to live your life with so much hate in your soul.
I am so happy I do not have such negativity in my soul. “