1,865,619 signatures opposing the LGBT ban.
7,189 Eagles have joined our organization.
Discrimination has no place in Scouting.
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Scouts for Equality, GLAAD and the Inclusive Scouting Network Applaud the Boy Scouts of America for Passage of Non-Discrimination Resolution
On 23, May 2013 | In Campaign News | By Scouts for Equality
Landmark Resolution Ends Discrimination of Gay Scouts
Groups Encourage Boy Scouts to Expand Resolution to End Discrimination of Adults
May 23, 2013 (USA) – Today, Scouts for Equality (SfE), GLAAD and the Inclusive Scouting Network (ISN) applauded the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) for the passage of the historic non-discrimination resolution that will end the discrimination of gay Scouts. This landmark resolution eliminates the longstanding policy that prohibits openly gay Scouts from participating in the Boy Scouts and has forced thousands of exceptional young men to stay out of the Scouts.
“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.”
Of the 1,400 voting members, over 60% voted in support of the proposed resolution. At the Equal Scouting Summit, being held directly across from the BSA National Meeting in Grapevine, members of SfE, ISN and GLAAD celebrated this historic victory while calling for equality for all. Read more…
Boy Scouts of America pass the resolution to allow gay youth!
On 23, May 2013 | In Campaign News | By Scouts for Equality
Boy Scouts of America passed the resolution to open Scouting to gay youth by 61%.
Step One towards inclusivity was completed on May 23rd, 2013.
Join us for Step Two: http://scoutsforequality.com/join
BSA President Wayne Perry says ending the BSA’s restriction on gay youth membership is “the right decision for Boy Scouts”.
On 22, May 2013 | In In the Press | By Ken Schulz
Boy Scouts president: Let in gay boys
Wayne Perry, USATODAY 4:36 p.m. EDT May 22, 2013
Our policies must be based on what is in the best interest of our nation’s children.
Story Highlights
- The resolution reaffirms our core belief in doing one’s “duty to God.”
- Changing adult standards would have conflicted with the virtues of our chartered partners.
- We will work to stay focused on that which unites us.
The Boy Scouts of America is part of the fabric of this nation. Our focus is on working together to deliver the nation’s foremost youth program of character development and values-based leadership training. Somehow, Scouting has become one of the focal points in the debate on homosexuality. However, it is not the role of the Boy Scouts to resolve this complex issue, nor can the decision we will make today.
In 2000, the Supreme Court ruled that the BSA has the right to set its membership standards. It is worth noting that the court’s decision was not about whether homosexuality is right or wrong; rather, it affirmed that private organizations have the right to set membership rules based on their beliefs and values.
At the BSA’s National Annual Meeting today, the 1,400 voting members of our National Council will vote on a proposed resolution that would end the restriction on gay youth membership. That’s the right decision for Boy Scouts.
Duty to God
Today’s proposed resolution reaffirms our core belief in doing one’s “duty to God.” 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.
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. 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. 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.
About the kids
The change to the Boy Scouts of America’s membership policy is not the result of pressure from outside; it is the result of extensive dialogue within the Scouting family. Parents, adults in the Scouting community and teens alike tend to agree that youth should not be denied the benefits of Scouting. The resolution is not about adults; it is about what is best for young people.
Some have voiced concerns that this proposal could put children at risk of being abused. The BSA makes no connection between sexual abuse and homosexuality. The nation’s leading experts agree. 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.
The BSA’s executive committee unanimously presented this resolution because it stays true to Scouting’s mission and remains focused on kids. No matter what your opinion is on this issue, America needs Scouting, and our policies must be based on what is in the best interest of our nation’s children.
Wayne Perry is the president of the Boy Scouts of America.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2013/05/22/boy-scouts-president-let-in-gay-boys/2351907/
Remarks Given at Equal Scouting Summit by Zach Wahls
On 22, May 2013 | In Campaign Events | By Ken Schulz
Good afternoon everybody. At last year’s annual meeting of the Boy Scouts of America, I delivered nearly 300,000 petition signatures asking the Boy Scouts to end their ban on gay members. One year later, the BSA is on the verge of taking the first step forward and lifting their ban on gay youth in the program. Speaking as a straight, lifelong Scout, I’m thrilled to know that Scouting will soon, we pray, be open to all young men who will live by the Scout Oath and Law.
A lot has happened in the interim. Last July, the Boy Scouts doubled down on their ban, and said it was the best policy for the organization. Since that time, Scouts for Equality has worked with incredible petition starters to gather more than 1.8 million petition signatures on Change.org. Working with our partners like the Inclusive Scouting Network, GLAAD, HRC, and others, we’ve been able to keep the pressure on the Boy Scouts, so they know how important this issue is to the nation and to the future of Scouting. Our incredible grassroots volunteers organized in nearly 150 of the BSA’s 282 councils and had thousands upon thousands of conversations that were Scout to Scout, parent to parent and leader to leader.
Scouts for Equality Praises House Members for Support of Non-Discrimination Resolution
On 22, May 2013 | In Campaign News | By Ken Schulz
Scouts for Equality Praises House Members for Support of Non-Discrimination Resolution
Twenty House Members Submit Letter to the Boy Scouts of America Urging Passage of Resolution
May 22, 2013 (USA) – Today, Scouts for Equality praised twenty members of the US House of Representatives for their support of the resolution being considered by the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) that would end discrimination of gay Scouts. All twenty members signed onto a letter calling for the passage of the resolution and the end of discrimination of gay Scouts by the BSA.
“We applaud these leaders for taking a stand on behalf of all of the amazing young men who have been denied the opportunity to be a part of the Boy Scouts of America,” said Zach Wahls, Eagle Scout and Founder of Scouts for Equality. “As one of the most highly regarded organizations in America, it is time that the Boy Scouts live up to the values that they taught all of us and create a stronger, more inclusive organization.”
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