Boy Scouts to study ban on gay leaders (resolution letting local units decide)

[alp227]

Source: CNN

The Boy Scouts of America, indicating its ban on openly gay members will remain in effect, said it will consider a resolution asking that local units be allowed to determine their own standards.

An unidentified volunteer leader in the Northeast introduced the resolution. Members of a committee have until May 2013 to make a report or recommendation to the group's National Executive Board, said Boy Scouts spokesman Deron Smith.

The debate over the Boy Scouts' membership policy is not new. "Resolutions of this nature are not unique," Smith said on Thursday.

But the issue is back in the headlines because of the resolution, a separate online petition and the formation of a group that wants Boy Scouts to end its "outdated" policy.

Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2012/06/07/us/boy-scouts-gays-policy/index.html

[Gore1FL]

1. It ultimately is already up to the local units

I have just let my registration lapse, But have been an adult leader since 2004. I was wood badge trained in 2005.

I suspect at least 2 Eagle Scouts from the troop I was involved with were gay. There was a woman in my Wood Badge course whose partner (previously Wood Badge trained) came with her to the reunion.

I suspect only the most intolerant of chartering organizations actually give a rats ass.

Every year at Summer Camp the Council Scout Executive spent 10 minutes trying to defend the policy (about a decade after the policy was put into place.) Even he admitted gay adult leaders were OK as long as they weren't "out" to the boys. That was the guy trying to be a stickler.

That and the anti-atheist policy are both ultimately unenforceable. The only reason they exist at all is because the LDS has the organization (at the National Level) by the balls. In my experience, most people simply don't give a shit. It's just the fundies and (some) of the LDS membership who really make an issue. I'm not saying they don't exist. I am not saying the national policy is excusable, either. It's largely ignored, however.

ITWBS,

Gore1FL

[Psephos]

3. Thank you for the informed perspective. n/t

[stevedeshazer]

2. How about a plan to study a ban on pedophiles?

Jesus H. Christ, that is the story.

[Gore1FL]

4. In fairness, they have adressed that issue with a lot of vigor. n/t

[TrogL]

6. That's a spankin'

[marshall]

5. Do they require unmarried heterosexual leaders to be abstinent?

It seems only fair that they would require all their leaders, as well as their scouts, to avoid any sex outside of marriage!

[OnTheFence94]

7. None of their business

This is on their web site:

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The BSA policy is: “While the BSA does not proactively inquire about the sexual orientation of employees, volunteers, or members, we do not grant membership to individuals who are open or avowed homosexuals or who engage in behavior that would become a distraction to the mission of the BSA.”

Scouting believes same-sex attraction should be introduced and discussed outside of its program with parents, caregivers, or spiritual advisers, at the appropriate time and in the right setting. The vast majority of parents we serve value this right and do not sign their children up for Scouting for it to introduce or discuss, in any way, these topics.

The BSA is a voluntary, private organization that sets policies that are best for the organization. The BSA welcomes all who share its beliefs but does not criticize or condemn those who wish to follow a different path.

...........................................................

I would rather this be their policy than have someone else teach my kids what THEY believe is appropriate.