The president of the Boy Scouts of America, just hours before the National Council is scheduled to vote, said that he believes the Scouts should “Let in gay boys.” Tomorrow, in a highly-anticipated and highly-discussed meeting, 1400 voting members of the organization from across the nation will decide whether or not to drop the organization’s ban on gay scouts. Gay Scout leaders are not allowed in the century-old organization and the vote does not pertain to adults within the organization.
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“The BSA makes no connection between sexual abuse and homosexuality. The nation’s leading experts agree,” Wayne Perry, the BSA’s President writes in a USA Today op-ed. “The BSA has stringent polices that protect the safety and privacy of youth and has always worked to ensure that it is a supportive and safe environment.”
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“Today’s proposed resolution reaffirms our core belief in doing one’s ‘duty to God,'” Perry writes:
It would remove the restriction denying membership to youth on the basis of sexual orientation alone and would maintain the current membership policy for all adult leaders. Further, the resolution reinforces that Scouting is a youth program, and that any sexual conduct, heterosexual or homosexual, is contrary to the virtues of Scouting. It also prohibits the use of the organization to promote or advance any social or political positions or agendas.
Perry also acknowledges the controversy surrounding the vote.
“While some people wish the proposed resolution would go further, it was clear from our listening phase that changing adult standards would have conflicted with the majority of our partners, 70% of which are religious organizations, and would have disrupted our ability to deliver Scouting,” the BSA president writes.
“Conversely, some have asserted that the proposed change for youth runs counter to the values of, and raises concerns among, Scouting’s religious chartered organizations,” Perry adds. “We are unaware of any major religious chartered organization that believes a youth member simply stating he or she is attracted to the same sex, but not engaging in sexual activity, should make him or her unwelcome in their congregation. We reviewed a variety of policy options and concluded this option would provide kids a place to belong while they learn and grow.”
Unfortunately, in trying to strike a bargain, Perry ignores the fact that a great many religious organizations and religions support civil and equal rights and treatment for LGBT people, even marriage. He also ignores the fact that not allowing openly-gay adults in Scouting sends a strong and dangerous message to LGBTQ youth that gay is not OK.
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Hat tip: Jeremy Hooper
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Related:
Take A Look At Who’s Supporting The Boy Scout Ban On Gay People
Rick Perry: Gay Rights Are ‘The Flavor of the Month’ And Must Be Resisted Like ‘Slavery’