The Boy Scouts kicks out gay father

[WillParkinson]

The Boy Scouts kicks out gay father
Sterling Wong

The Boy Scouts of America ejected the father of a 9-year-old Cub Scout from a leadership position in the organization because of his sexual orientation.

Openly gay Jon Langbert of Dallas, Texas, had been a volunteer in the Pack 70 Scout popcorn fundraiser team for two years until last week, when someone complained about his homosexuality at a Scout meeting. Langbert was then asked to stop wearing his Scout uniform and give up his leadership position.

“What message does that send to my son? It says I’m a second-class citizen,” Langbert said to The Dallas Morning News.

http://www.365gay.com/news/the-boy-scouts-kicks-out-gay-father/

[xchrom]

1. This is not our week for good news. Nt

[WillParkinson]

2. Sorry. I'm trying to find something good to post.

Sadly it's just not cooperating.

[One_Life_To_Give]

20. For two years nobody cared (glass half full)

On the bright side it shows that there are some people who will accept a gay leader and not follow BSA national policy.

[sharp_stick]

3. My kids probably won't join the Scouts

simply because of this idiotic position. As a straight father I'm not about to imply that it's OK to be a part of an organization of intolerance like this.

[realisticphish]

7. it's sad

I'm an Eagle Scout, and I don't regret a moment of my time with the BSA, but I will never allow my son to join a group with that policy. If I have a daughter, the Girl Scouts are a different matter

[blue sky at night]

4. I hate to say this....

but I was associated with the boy scouts and if I were gay I would not join the organization. I would not want my son around them because I really believe in the power of association when it comes to modeling behavior for young people. The Boy Scouts have gone to court and have won on the gay issue, so they are allowed to discriminate, especially in the leadership. To me, they are a two-edged sword, they teach some very valuable life skills to boys, but they have this other side that I can no longer abide with. When america comes to grips with openly gay people then maybe there will be a way for a dad like this to participate, but i wouldn't hold my breath waiting.

[realisticphish]

9. I'm an Eagle Scout, and I feel the same way nt

[blue sky at night]

5. sorry dupe....

[The_Casual_Observer]

6. This is very sad. I feel bad for that father & son, the boys have lots

of fun in Cub Scouts. There is no good reason for this treatment,

[The_Casual_Observer]

8. This is very sad. I feel bad for that father & son, the boys have lots

of fun in Cub Scouts, there isn't another organized program like it/ to replace it. There is no good reason for this treatment,

[jberryhill]

10. "someone complained about his homosexuality"

That line is just.... weird.

What about his homosexuality was the problem?

[ThomCat]

13. The scouts officially believe that being gay violates the

scout oath and law, which requires that all members of the scouting organization be morally straight.

They apparently believe that a scout leader who is gay can't teach or represent the scout oath and law adequately, so gay staff have to go. :(

[jberryhill]

18. Ummmm... I think you missed the intended snark, and its target

By "someone complained about his homosexuality", I was noting that it is an odd grammatical construction for "someone complained that he was a homosexual", which would be a better phrase.

The phrase in the article sounds like someone went to the movies and said, "Excuse me, but your homosexuality is blocking my view of the screen" or "Your homosexuality was digging in my garden and destroyed my petunias."

[lumberjack_jeff]

11. Fuckers.

Extremely bad move on their part.

[marginlized]

12. How far we have drifted to the right

My grand-uncle was a scout leader for decades, maybe 30 years of his life. This was while he lived openly gay. Lived with another man for 22 years. My favorite of his scouting stories is the time he took his entire troop to a drag show at Finocchio's. This was maybe the late 1930s to early 40s. I can't imagine what excuse or explanation he gave their parents. But he was so loved by his scouts that at his 85th Birthday, hundreds of them showed up. And, yes, well into their middle age, the few who saw it were still joking about the drag show.

This happened so long ago, I doubt any of the scouts are still around.

[NeoGreen]

14. They discriminate against Atheists too...

... I think Atheists & Gays should unite to change the discrimination in what used to be a fairly decent organization, that is before the BSA got addicted to Mormon cash.

[Creideiki]

15. I'm always sad about those fundraisers

The kids are really nice, and all of the ones I've talked to and their parents/packleaders have all said that they really disagree with the BSA policy.

However, until the BSA changes their policy, I can only smile sadly, apologize, wish them luck, and walk by.

[IrishEyes]

16. I can't support the boy scouts

Fortunately, the Girl Scouts have no rules against atheists and gays. That is a good thing because I would hate to give up girl scout cookies.

[beyurslf]

17. Why is this surprising or even news? They went to the courts to affirm and

defend their right to discriminate and won. Did any one think they would stop doing it after that? Don't join the KKK if you don't want to hang out with racists and don't join the BSA unless you don't mind homophobes.

[MNBrewer]

19. What message does that send to my son? It says I’m a second-class citizen

That's EXACTLY the message they intend to send. The BSA does consider gays second class citizens, and does everything it can to keep us that way.