Tag: Boy Scouts

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Texas: Gov. Rick Perry “disappointed” with BSA decision to include gay scouts

Texas Governor Rick Perry is not happy with the Boy Scouts decision.

From the governor’s official website:

The Boys Scouts of America has been built upon the values of faith and family for more than 100 years and today’s decision contradicts generations of tradition in the name of political correctness. While I will always cherish my time as a scout and the life lessons I learned, I am greatly disappointed with this decision.

Because teenage gay boys who want to take part in scouting have no “values of faith and family?”

The only thing the vote by over 60% of the Boy Scout reps does is improve on the traditions of the BSA.

(h/t Towleroad)

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Hate group runs full page ad in Dallas Morning News urging BSA to continue gay ban

Jeremy Hooper at Good As You points out that the Family Research Council, a SPLC certified hate group, ran a full page ad in the Dallas Morning News in advance of today’s vote by 1,400 Boy Scouts of America reps on whether to allow gay scouts.

As Jeremy points out about the anti-gay group, “They simply don’t believe in the concept of well-adjusted LGBT people and don’t want us to have rights, opportunities, or basic peace of mind. Let’s be clear here: That is the underlying drive that’s informing this whole thing.”

Check out the ad below.

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Boy Scouts of America prepare to vote tomorrow on possible gay inclusion

As the Boy Scouts of America prepares to vote tomorrow on a proposal that would change its long-standing policy of excluding gay boys from Scout units, the executive director of Scouts for Equality, a gay rights advocacy group, is hopeful that the proposal will pass–but says this is just the first step.

“This is a good step in the right direction, we want youth protection throughout the entire program, and it looks we’ll be able to see that on the 23rd,” executive director Zach Wahls tells Top Line. “But after that, we have to make sure that we are telling Scouts that when you turn 18 you are still welcome in the program.”

The proposal up for vote will not change the BSA’s policy of banning gay adult leaders. To Wahls, changing that policy is not just political, it’s personal.

“As the straight Eagle Scout son of a lesbian couple, I know exactly how important lifting the ban on adults is,” he says. “I got to see first-hand when I was growing up in Iowa the impact that great, wise, loving parents could have in the lives of my Scouters.”

(via ABC News/Yahoo! News “Top Line”)

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Openly gay former Eagle Scout James Dale has a message for Boy Scouts of America

From GLAAD:

Tomorrow, 1400 members of the Boy Scouts’ National Council will converge in Dallas to vote on a resolution critical to the Boy Scouts’ longstanding ban on gay members.

James Dale — an openly gay former Eagle Scout whose membership was revoked by the BSA — has a special request:

Show your support for equality in the Boy Scouts: Change your profile pic now.

Now more than ever we all must speak up about why gay youth and parents should be able to participate in the Boy Scouts.

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Highlights from Family Research Council’s “Stand with Scouts Sunday’

Highlights from the “Stand with Scouts Sunday” anti-gay hate-a-thon.

Do you like how one scout refers to gays as not being “clean?” Because homosexuality is supposedly “morally unclean.”

Quick observation – how many straight scouts do you think have sex before marriage? Is that “morally clean?” I don’t judge those scouts, but clearly there’s a double standard when it comes to what is or isn’t “clean” on a “moral” landscape.

Also – note how Tony Perkins throws out his dog whistle at 1:38 about “the evidence is beginning to mount” on gays in the military and DADT. That’s how these folks work. They repeat those talking points in a tone of voice that sounds factual and non-threatening, and the folks who listen hear it over and over.  Over time, it all becomes “fact” to them.

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Rep. Steve Palazzo says gay “agitators” are trying to corrupt the Boy Scouts of America

In an ironic turnabout, Rep. Steve Palazzo (R-MS) on the “Stand with Scouts Sunday” webcast says the Boy Scouts of America – who currently discriminate against gay scouts – are the ones being “bullied,” “intimidated, extorted” and “harassed.”

He also references “the agitators” (that would be the evil ‘gays’) who are trying to ‘corrupt’ the BSA.

Because having openly gay scouts would represent “corruption” of some kind.

Someone should tell Rep. Palazzo that gays HAVE been taking part in Boy Scouts for decades. Just not openly.  “Hide who you are.” How is that for teaching values?

(source)

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Mormon church supports Boy Scouts proposed change in gay scout policy

The Mormon Church has released a statement in support of the proposed policy change by the Boy Scouts to end discrimination for gay scouts.

Reads a statement from the church:

Over the past several weeks BSA has undertaken the difficult task of reviewing its membership standards policy. In their own words, this undertaking has been ‘the most comprehensive listening exercise in its history.’

While the Church has not launched any campaign either to effect or prevent a policy change, we have followed the discussion and are satisfied that BSA has made a thoughtful, good-faith effort to address issues that, as they have said, remain ‘among the most complex and challenging issues facing the BSA and society today.’

The current BSA proposal constructively addresses a number of important issues that have been part of the ongoing dialogue, including consistent standards for all BSA partners, recognition that Scouting exists to serve and benefit youth rather than Scout leaders, a single standard of moral purity for youth in the program, and a renewed emphasis for Scouts to honor their duty to God.

We are grateful to BSA for their careful consideration of these issues. We appreciate the positive things contained in this current proposal that will help build and strengthen the moral character and leadership skills of youth as we work together in the future.

The Mormon Church is a major sponsor of local scouting troops around the nation.

(via Instinct)