Two gay Boy Scouts, who are brothers, discuss how they feel about BSA ban on gay scouts
From the BBC comes this profile of Lucien and Pascal Tessier of Kensington, Maryland – two gay brothers who are also Boy Scouts.
Older brother and Eagle Scout Lucien says in the interview: “I think that by proposing this sort of policy where local troops decide for themselves whether to admit gay scouts or not, they’re not living up to their responsibility to accept everyone.”
Poll: 55% of Americans support allowing gays in Boy Scouts
In a Quinnipiac University national poll released today, Americans support allowing gay Boy Scouts by a margin of 55%- 33%.
There is a large gender gap as women support gay scouts 61 – 27 percent, compared to 49 – 39 percent among men, the independent poll finds.
White Catholics support gay scouts 63 – 25 percent. Among white Protestants, 44 percent say open up scouting and 41 percent say no. White evangelical Protestants oppose gay scouts 56 – 33 percent.
“Now that the Armed Forces ban on openly gay service members has been lifted, and polls show increasing acceptance of same-sex marriage, most American voters think it’s time to open up the Boy Scouts too,” said Peter Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.
Boy Scouts delay decision on lifting ban on gay scouts until May 2013
There will be no announcement from the Boy Scouts of America today on whether or not to lift the ban on gays in scouting.
The Boy Scouts released a statement saying a decision has been postponed until May:
“For 103 years, the Boy Scouts of America has been a part of the fabric of this nation, providing it’s youth program of character development and values-based leadership training. In the past two weeks, Scouting has received an outpouring of feedback from the American public. It reinforces how deeply people care about Scouting and how passionate they are about the organization.
“After careful consideration and extensive dialogue within the Scouting family, along with comments from those outside the organization, the volunteer officers of the Boy Scouts of America’s National Executive Board concluded that due to the complexity of this issue, the organization needs time for a more deliberate review of its membership policy.
“To that end, the executive board directed its committees to further engage representatives of Scouting’s membership and listen to their perspectives and concerns. This will assist the officers’ work on a resolution on membership standards. The approximately 1,400 voting members of the national council will take action on the resolution at the national meeting in May 2013.”
Zach Wahls calmly decimates opponent of lifting Boy Scouts anti-gay policy
Once again, the clear-eyed, well-spoken Zach Wahls brings thought and common sense to the discussion on lifting the current anti-gay ban on gays participating in the Boy Scouts of America.
From the Advocate:
Edward Whelan, the president of the Ethics and Public Policy Center and author of an incendiary New York Post op-ed that suggested gay Boy Scout leaders would molest their charges, debated former Eagle Scout Zach Wahls on CNN.
Whelan is also the father of a soon-to-be Eagle Scout; he recently wrote an op-ed for the Post that posited, “Imagine that a group of girls is going on a long camping trip, supervised by adult volunteers who are young men you barely know. Would you let your 15-year-old daughter go?”
On CNN this weekend, Whelan defended the right of the Scouts to allow only people they deem “suitable.” Activist Wahls had much to say in response.
Zach continues to be one our very best allies in the public discussion for equality. His thoughtful, calm and confident demeanor makes the argument for equality a clear one.
Petition with 1.4 million signatures delivered to Boy Scouts of America urging change in gay ban
The Advocate is reporting a petition was delivered Tuesday morning to the Boy Scouts of America’s board members, urging them to change the national policy barring openly gay scouts and troop leaders.
Both gay and straight scouts and leaders delivered a bundle of several petitions, totaling 1.4 million signatures from Americans who weighed in on the policy, according to GLAAD.
The petitions were handed off to board members at the BSA’s Texas headquarters where the policy is one of the chief concerns during a three-day conference.
An announcement is expected Wednesday regarding any change of policy.
CNN: Hate group leader says gay scout leaders will molest your kids
Hate group leader Peter Sprigg of the Family Research Council appeared on CNN today to speak with Carol Costello about the full page ad his group ran in USA Today urging the Boy Scouts to retain their ban on gay scouts.
Said Sprigg: “The mere fact that someone openly identifies themselves as homosexual means that they are modeling for boys the acceptability of homosexual conduct. And parents who do not agree with that view have a right to protect their children form that… They have a right to protect their children from the potential risk of child sexual abuse at the hands of men who might be attracted to other males.”
Costello correctly quoted an American Psychological Association study that shows homosexuals are not any more likely to molest kids than straight men.
“Unless you’re condemning every single homosexual in the country as being a possible pedophile, that’s not fair!”
(source)
President Obama reiterates his support for allowing gays in Boy Scouts
President Obama affirmed his opposition to the Boy Scouts ban on openly gay scouts and troop leaders in an interview on Sunday with CBS Evening News.
“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 that nobody should be barred for that.”
In related news, GLAAD reports that the Boy Scouts of America are set to get a huge delivery of petitions containing 1.4 million signatures this morning.
The Boy Scouts of America headquarters in Dallas will get a visit from ousted Boy Scout mom Jennifer Tyrrell, gay Eagle Scout Will Oliver, gay former Scoutmaster Greg Bourke, and Eric Andresen, father of a gay Scout denied his Eagle Award – and they’ll be bringing with them signatures of more than a million Americans who want the BSA to end its ban on gay scouts and volunteers.
The national leaders of the Boy Scouts of America are gathered this week for to discuss an end to the organization’s discriminatory ban.
“Millions have been moved to speak out in favor of ending the anti-gay ban from across religions, race, and political backgrounds including current scouts and corporate sponsors,” said GLAAD President Herndon Graddick. “While an end to the ban will strengthen scouting and stop the harm it caused to so many young gay people, the campaign for change will continue until the national policy is one where every young gay person is allowed to participate.”
Today, the Family Research Council and other hate groups took out a full-page ad in USA Today urging the BSA to retain its anti-gay policies.
President Obama: Boy Scouts of America should end ban on gays
President Obama today stated that he believes the Boy Scouts of America should end its ban on gays in the organization.
From CBS News:
President Obama responded with a simple “Yes” when he was asked on Sunday by CBS Evening News anchor Scott Pelley whether the Boy Scouts of America should open their organization to openly gay members.
His reason? “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.”
“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,” Mr. Obama continued, “And I think nobody should be barred from that.”
Share your opinion on whether gay scouts should be allowed to take part in the Boy Scouts of America
The Boy Scouts of America are taking feedback from the public as they consider putting an end to their ban on gay scouts and leaders. Their board is scheduled to discuss the matter next Wednesday. Right wing groups are already churning their followers to take action.
Calls are being answered at the National Service Desk at 972-580-2330. A representative will answer and ask if you are for or against the policy change.
Emails are also being accepted at nationalsupportcenter@scouting.org.
GLAAD also suggests posting a message of support on their Facebook page.
(via the dallas voice)