BSA Coming Around?

photo courtesy of Anthony Berenyi via Shutterstock

 I've commented on this before, so of course had to follow up on this topic on my blog. The Boy Scouts of America, after just 7 months ago reaffirming a policy of banning gay members and leaders, is suddenly considering a change in policy.  While the new change doesn't mean BSA as a national organization will not tolerate discrimination, it is perhaps a step in the right direction.  If I'm understanding it correctly, it is putting the decision in local chapters' hands after much persuasion from local groups and perhaps withdrawal of funding from pro-rights sources. While this is great news for some, it does seem to mean that discrimination will still be acceptable at the local level if that is what they decide to do. Hmm....we'll see how it plays out.

From the NBC News report online:

The policy change now under discussion “would allow the religious, civic or educational organizations that oversee and deliver Scouting to determine how to address this issue,” said the BSA's Smith.

“The Boy Scouts would not, under any circumstances, dictate a position to units, members or parents. Under this proposed policy, the BSA would not require any chartered organization to act in ways inconsistent with that organization’s mission, principles or religious beliefs,” he said.

In 2000, the U.S. Supreme Court concluded that the Boy Scouts had a First Amendment right of free expression when it came to the organization’s belief that homosexual conduct is inconsistent with values stated in the scout oath, requiring scouts to be “morally straight.”

As an advocate for gay rights, I will point out that other community based youth organizations are completely inclusive  and that I still do not understand why a group that is supposed to be a community group as opposed to a religious/church-affiliated group feels the need to let these issues be a part of their policy making decisions. However, happy to see that communities are making an impact and that organizations withdrawing their funding has made a difference as well.  Hopefully gay rights issues and other human rights issues will continue to make progress!  Great retrospective article about this topic here.