Category Archives: Boy Scouts of America

Boy Scouts to vote on ending gay ban

(Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

IRVING, Texas — The Boy Scouts of America met this week to consider lifting the ban on gay Scouts. A final vote was expected Thursday, after the Blade’s print deadline. Watch here for more updates as we wait for results of the vote.

The proposal to lift the ban did not include ending the ban on openly gay Scout leaders, a move that was widely criticized by LGBT advocates.

As reported earlier this month in the Blade, Governor Rick Perry of Texas — a former Republican White House contender — has become one of the most outspoken voices in favor of keeping the ban on gay scouts in place.

“The fact is, this is a private organization,” Perry said during a Family Research Council webcast. “Their values and principles have worked for a century now, and for pop culture to come in and try to tear that up because it just happens to be the flavor of the month, so to speak, and to tear apart one of the great organizations that have served millions of young men — to help them become men and become great fathers — that is just not appropriate.”

Advocate ‘confident’ Boy Scouts will end ban on gay youth

The Boy Scouts to set to vote on a resolution today to end its ban on gay youth (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

An LGBT group working to end the gay ban for the Boy Scouts of America is striking an optimistic tone on the day leaders are set to vote on a resolution to partially lift it.

Rich Ferraro, vice president of communications for Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, said he expects the 1,400 members of the Boy Scouts National Council to approve a measure allowing gay youths to participate.

“I’m confident, especially now that the BSA leadership is behind the resolution,” Ferraro said. “I think it’s because of the stories that BSA voting members and Americans have heard over the past years from moms from Ohio and teenagers from California who shouldn’t be discriminated against.”

The vote is taking place in Grapevine, Texas, during the organization’s 2013 National Annual Meeting. An announcement on the vote is expected around 6 pm. The Washington Blade will provide updates as warranted.

Currently, openly gay people are unable to participate in the Boy Scouts in any capacity. The proposal would alter the policy so gay youths can take part in the organization. Even if the resolution is approved, gay adults would still be unable to serve as scoutmasters.

Ferraro based his optimism on work activists have done to draw attention to the gay ban as well as statements from Boy Scouts’ leadership in opposition to current policy.

Wayne Perry, president of the Boy Scouts of America, called on the organization to approve the resolution in an op-ed in USA Today published on Thursday.

“The BSA’s executive committee unanimously presented this resolution because it stays true to Scouting’s mission and remains focused on kids,” Perry writes. “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.”

According to GLAAD, thousands of people on both sides of the issue are at the hotel to make their views heard — many of them clad in their Boy Scouts’ uniform.

“I think it shows just what I’ve seen over the past year running this campaign how dedicated people are to the institution of scouting,” Ferraro said. “The message that we’re trying to send is that including gay adults and gay teenagers will only strengthen the institution of scouting.”

Members of Congress have also weighed in. Reps. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and Henry Waxman (D-Calif.), along with 20 other House members, delivered to the Boy Scouts earlier this week a letter asking the group to change its policy.

“Today, BSA has a policy that excludes gay Scouts and Scout leaders from participating,” the letter states. “This is counter to BSA’s mission to teach our youth to combat discrimination. … We strongly urge the BSA to pass the proposed resolution to end discrimination against gay youth. Furthermore, we believe that BSA should implement a full non-discrimination policy.”

Zach Wahls, a 21-year-old activist and Eagle Scout, said the time is right for the Boy Scouts to change during an event in Grapevine called the Equal Scouting Summit.

“It is clear that if Scouting is not willing to move forward on this issue, it will be left behind by an America that supports our LGBT friends, neighbors, family members and even our fellow Scouts who made it through the program,” Wahls said. “America needs the values that Scouting has to offer now more than ever, and we cannot afford to lose this great cultural icon.”

In February, President Obama voiced support during an interview that aired before the Super Bowl for lifting the gay ban in the Boy Scouts.

But anti-gay groups are also at work to urge the Boy Scouts to keep the ban on gay youth in place. On Thursday, the Family Research Council ran a half-page advertisement in the Dallas Morning News. The ad identifies five reasons to support the current policy, including saying the change “forces all scouting units to accept openly gay youth.”

Rep. Jim Bridenstine (R-Okla.), a freshman U.S. House member, took to the House floor this week to criticize what he called the “intolerant left” for efforts such as repealing the gay ban in the Boy Scouts.

“The left’s agenda is not about tolerance, and it’s not about diversity of thought,” Bridenstine said. “It’s about presenting a worldview of relativism, where there is no right and wrong, then using the full force of the government to silence opposition and reshape organizations like the Boy Scouts into instruments for social change.”

Bridenstine concluded,”To my friends on the left, this is not tolerance. But here’s the good news about true tolerance: the most tolerant one of all has the ability to redeem us all.”

But Ferraro dismissed efforts from anti-gay groups, saying they won’t have significant impact and are only an effort to spread hate against LGBT people.

“People like Tony Perkins and the FRC are continuing to paint themselves not as scouting supporters, but as anti-gay activists, and that’s going to make the difference,” Ferraro said. “Their messages are clouded by anti-gay hate, especially when you consider faith leaders and so many officials in the BSA pushing for change.”

Boy Scouts of America vote to partially end gay ban

Boy Scouts of America, gay news, Washington Blade

Approximately 61 percent of delegates to the Boy Scouts of America National Annual Meeting voted Thursday to partially end a policy barring openly gay boy scouts. (Photo by Steven Depolo; courtesy Creative Commons)

According to ThinkProgress, approximately 61 percent of delegates to the Boy Scouts of America’s National Annual Meeting voted Thursday to partially end a policy barring openly gay boy scouts.

The 1,400 delegates were not given the option, however, to lift the prohibition of openly gay adult volunteers and leaders.

“Today’s vote is a significant victory for gay youth across the nation and a clear indication that the Boy Scouts’ ban on gay adult leaders will also inevitably end,” Rich Ferraro, a spokesperson for LGBT media watchdog group GLAAD said in a statement after the vote. “The Boy Scouts of America heard from religious leaders, corporate sponsors and so many Scouting families who want an end to discrimination against gay people, and GLAAD will continue this work with those committed to equality in Scouting until gay parents and adults are able to participate.”

The vote comes after months of lobbying on both sides of the issue, with gay advocates pressuring the organization to remove all barriers to involvement for LGBT people — including Eagle Scouts, den mothers and scout masters — while conservative forces have pushed the organization to remain with the current policy.

On Thursday, Washington D.C.-based Family Research Council took out a half-page ad in the Dallas Morning News urging delegates to the 2013 National Annual Meeting to vote against the plan.

“Boy Scouts of America delegates will vote TODAY on a resolution that will introduce open homosexuality into Scouting’s ranks and eventually, in all likelihood, into Scouting leadership,” the ad reads. “This open letter calls on ALL DELEGATES to VOTE NO on the resolution and thereby preserve Scouting’s timeless values and honor 103 years of faithful service to our nation and her boys.”

The FRC ad goes on to list five reasons the organization believes that the ban on gays in scouting should be kept, including speculation that 400,000 members will abandon the scouts, citing “massive membership losses” after the organization’s Canadian counterpart lifted their own prohibition to gay scouts.

Despite the opposition’s virulent protests, prior to the vote, many LGBT advocates were optimistic about the vote’s outcome.

“I’m confident, especially now that the BSA leadership is behind the resolution,” Ferraro told the Blade earlier on Thursday. “I think it’s because of the stories that BSA voting members and Americans have heard over the past years from moms from Ohio and teenagers from California who shouldn’t be discriminated against.”

The Dallas Voice, earlier Thursday, released a video of a press conference held by LGBT advocates prior to the vote.

Earlier this month, Texas Governor Rick Perry also weighed in on the Boy Scouts controversy, as the Blade reported.

“The fact is, this is a private organization,” Perry said. “Their values and principles have worked for a century now, and for pop culture to come in and try to tear that up because it just happens to be the flavor of the month, so to speak, and to tear apart one of the great organizations that have served millions of young men — to help them become men and become great fathers — that is just not appropriate.”

Following the affirmative vote, many advocates expressed measured relief that efforts had been partially victorious.

“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,” Zach Wahls, Eagle Scout and Founder of Scouts for Equality, said in a statement released by GLAAD. “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.”

Others who had experienced discrimination in the scouts under this policy spoke out after the vote as well.

“When I was kicked out of the Boy Scouts last April, I was devastated.” said Ohio mom Jennifer Tyrrell, who was ousted as leader of her son’s Cub Scout pack because she’s gay. “Having to look my son, Cruz, in the eye and tell him that our family isn’t good enough was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do. Today is truly a watershed moment for me, but even more so for the millions of kids across this country, who will now be allowed to serve in the Scouts without fear of rejection. I’m so proud of how far we’ve come, but until there’s a place for everyone in Scouting, my work will continue.”

Obama praises Boy Scouts, but hopes for more change

President Obama praised the Boy Scouts of America’s decision to lift its ban on openly gay youth, but added he hopes the organization will take further action to allow openly gay Scout leaders, according to the White House.

Shin Inouye, a White House spokesperson, issued the response to the 103-year-old organization’s decision to end its ban on gay youth on Friday in response to an inquiry from the Washington Blade.

“The President welcomes the decision by the Boy Scouts of America to open its membership to all, regardless of sexual orientation,” Inouye said. “He has long believed that the Scouts is a valuable organization that has helped educate and build character in American boys for more than a century.”

Inouye continued, “He continues to believe that leadership positions in the Scouts should be open to all, regardless of sexual orientation.”

On Thursday, the 1,400 members of the Boy Scouts National Council approved a resolution to end its ban on gay youth from participating by a margin of 61-38 percent. But the measure leaves in place the ban on openly gay leaders.

Obama’s views on the Boy Scouts’ policy on gay members is particularly significant because, as president of the United States, he also serves as honorary president of the Boy Scouts.

Deron Smith, a Boy Scouts spokesperson, responded to the White House by saying the organization continues to appreciate Obama’s support for the organization.

“For 103 years, the Boy Scouts of America has been a part of the fabric of this nation, with a focus on working together to deliver the nation’s foremost youth program of character development and values-based leadership training,” Smith said. “We are thankful President Obama recognizes the value of the organization.”

GLAAD praised Obama’s statement.

“As the Honorary President of the Boy Scouts of America, this statement on President Obama’s support is significant,” said Rich Ferraro, a GLAAD spokesperson. “Gay parents and adults should be accepted into Scouting and our campaign for change will continue until that happens. As openly gay youth begin participating in Scouting and earn Eagle Rank, the Boy Scouts will come to realize that gay Americans and our families only strengthen Scouting as an institution.”

Scouting, immigration create frustration

Scouting still discriminates against some LGBT people. (Photo by Steven Depolo; courtesy Creative Commons)

In the past two weeks the LGBT community responded to two different situations; one in the public arena and the other in a private organization.

The Boy Scouts voted to admit gay scouts. Though some think scouting is quasi-public, the organization’s right to set its own membership standards was affirmed by the Supreme Court in Boy Scouts of America v. Dale. Still, localities such as New York City have prohibited the Scouts from using public buildings for their meetings as long as they continue to discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation.

The debate on this vote in the LGBT community has been vociferous. Some applauded the scouts and others only bashed them. Lorri Jean, CEO of the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center, said, “What I do know is that, in this day and age, it is neither acceptable nor progress to allow gay boys to participate as scouts for a few years, only to harshly expel them from any involvement the moment they turn 18.” She went on to say, “This is a calculated and craven strategy to win back the support of the many corporate sponsors that have stopped funding the BSA, costing the organization millions of dollars in lost revenue, because of its discriminatory policies.”

Chad Griffin, president of the Human Rights Campaign, said, “Today is a historic day for Boy Scouts across the country who want to be a part of this great American institution but the new policy doesn’t go far enough. Parents and adults of good moral character, regardless of sexual orientation, should be able to volunteer their time to mentor the next generation of Americans.”

And Zach Wahls, founder of Scouts for Equality, said, “The Boy Scouts of America can do better. We welcome the news that the ban on gay Scouts is history, but our work isn’t over until we honor the Scout Law by making this American institution open and affirming to all.”

As a Cub Scout, Boy Scout, Explorer, Explorer Advisor and former member of the National Committee, Scouting for the Handicapped, scouting was good to me. I was inducted into the Order of the Arrow and received my Ner Tamid (Scouting’s Jewish Medal). Growing up a city kid, scouting gave me experiences I wouldn’t have otherwise had — camping, Ten Mile River Summer Camp, Philmont Ranch and going to the 25th National Jamboree in Colorado Springs. To me this vote is a first step that should be positively viewed. We must keep the pressure on to remove the ban on gay leaders and continue the ban on using public buildings. Corporate boycotts of scouting should continue until they end all discrimination.

This will happen with both outside pressure and openly gay scouts moving up the ladder and becoming ready for leadership. It will happen because of young Eagle Scouts like Zach Wahls who will keep the pressure on with the support of the entire LGBT community and our allies.

The other issue faced by the LGBT community last week was that some of our strongest allies in Congress backed off their demand that the Uniting American Families Act be included as an amendment in the immigration reform bill. Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) withdrew the amendment when Republicans threatened to abandon the entire bill and Democratic Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Richard Durbin (D-Ill.) and Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said they wouldn’t vote for the amendment in committee. It seems the president also backed off his demand that it be included. This created a firestorm in the LGBT community.

Former Congressman Barney Frank (D-Mass.) was pilloried for being reasonable when he said this bill is too important to 12 million members of the Hispanic community to chance it being scuttled because we aren’t in it. I support Barney. This issue may be settled for those in states where gay marriage is legal if, as assumed, Section 3 of DOMA is ruled unconstitutional. The LGBT community cannot be the ones to stop a bill that if it doesn’t pass now may not see the light of day again for a decade. The amendment should be brought up on the Senate floor to get senators on the record even if it doesn’t pass.

We must never be satisfied with less than full equality but we can’t stop progress for others as we fight for our own. Even when we win there will always be someone trying to turn back the tide. Only by building strong coalitions can we preserve the rights we have won and fight successfully for those that still elude us.

Philadelphia mayor speaks to LGBT bloggers, journalists

Michael Nutter, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Mayors for the Freedom to Marry, gay news, Washington Blade, marriage equality, gay marriage, marriage equality

Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

PHILADELPHIA — Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter on Saturday reaffirmed his support of marriage rights for same-sex couples.

“Love who you love, be with who you be with and generally it’s no one else’s business,” he said during the National Gay and Lesbian Journalists Association and Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr., Foundation’s annual gathering of LGBT journalists and bloggers at the Loews Philadelphia Hotel. “People should be able to do whatever it is they want to do, be together.”

Nutter, who succeeded Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa as president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors last year, is among the more than 300 city executives who have joined Freedom to Marry’s Mayors for the Freedom to Marry initiative. He joined Villaraigosa, Houston Mayor Annise Parker and others at a D.C. reception last month that commemorated the campaign’s first anniversary.

Nutter described President Obama’s comments in support of same-sex marriage during his re-election campaign and in his second inaugural address as “very helpful.”

“You hear more and more electeds and others coming out for marriage equality or knocking down the discriminatory effects,” he said in response to gay New York journalist Andy Humm’s question about Pennsylvania state lawmakers’ reluctance to expand LGBT-specific protections in the commonwealth. “I don’t know what’s in the hearts and minds of all the legislators across Pennsylvania, but I’d like to think there’s a certain inevitability to all of this.”

Nutter again highlighted his support of nuptials for gays and lesbians as he continued to answer Humm’s question.

“It’s not like the heterosexual community has demonstrated that we’ve got it all together ourselves,” he said. “If folks want to be married, let people marry. What difference does it make?”

Nutter, who served on the Philadelphia City Council for more than a decade until his 2007 election, further stressed his administration recognizes the “economic vitality that the LGBT community brings” to the city.

Transgender blogger Becky Juro asked the mayor about Nizah Morris, a trans woman who died in Dec. 2002.

A Philadelphia police officer offered Morris a ride to her apartment after she collapsed outside a Center City bar because she had become intoxicated. The officer said Morris left her cruiser a few blocks away – a passing motorist later found her unconscious in the street

The city medical examiner determined Morris’ death was a homicide, but the Philadelphia Police Department rejected its finding.

“We haven’t maybe had the greatest level of cooperation from a bunch of folks, but it is a case that we are certainly paying attention to,” Nutter said. “We want to bring whoever needs to be brought to justice to justice.”

Nutter also described former Philadelphia City Councilman John C. Anderson, after whom a new Center City complex that will contain apartments for LGBT seniors is named, as a mentor. The mayor also responded to a question about the Boy Scouts of America’s Cradle of Liberty Council’s lawsuit against the city over its efforts to evict it from its city-owned building after it refused to change its policy to allow gay scouts and troop leaders.

A federal court jury in 2010 ruled against the city, but the case remains before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.

“I want to get a resolution that ultimately entails us not supporting any discrimination in a city-owned building or a building on land we own,” he said. “I’m hopeful that there will be a resolution that gets to that stage where we’re not subsidizing that kind of activity in the relatively near future.”

Nutter also said he has no intentions of running for governor or Congress once his term expires in 2016.

“I have approximately three years on my term here as mayor of my hometown,” he said. “I’m going to serve out my term. I have no idea what I’m going to do next. And I’m not thinking about it right now.”

Petitions urge National Geographic Channel to oppose gay scout ban

Will Oliver, Boy Scouts of America, National Geographic, Are You Tougher Than a Boy Scout?, gay news, Washington Blade

Will Oliver (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

A gay Eagle Scout on Monday delivered more than 120,000 petitions that urge the National Geographic Channel to speak out against the Boy Scouts of America’s ban on gay scouts and troop leaders.

“When I earned Eagle, it never occurred to me that I should be treated differently,” Will Oliver said outside the National Geographic Society in Northwest Washington. “I had the assurance that it is the content of my character and not my sexual orientation that defines who I am. As of today, none of this is guaranteed for a scout who is gay.”

Oliver spoke hours before “Are You Tougher Than a Boy Scout?,” a reality show on which the National Geographic Channel partnered with the Boy Scouts of America, was set to premier. He, Rich Ferraro of the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation and Mark Dingbaum of Change.org met with Julie Frazier, Chad Sandhas and Chris Albert of the channel’s communications department to discuss the issue after they spoke outside the building.

Albert declined the Washington Blade’s request to comment, but Oliver said the three staffers with whom he met “were very positive and really sympathetic to the campaign.” He said they invited him to write a blog post that would be on the channel’s homepage during the show.

Oliver said the staffers cited network policy that would not allow them to issue a disclaimer against the Boy Scouts’ policy.

“While they were open to accepting the petition and spoke with Will, they really stopped short of doing the right thing,” Ferraro told the Blade after the meeting. “They’re sending a very mixed message by including a blog post from him on their homepage, yet refusing to speak out directly against this policy.”

The Boy Scouts’ ban on gay scouts and troop leaders has come under increased scrutiny in recent months as President Obama, the Human Rights Campaign and others have urged an end to the policy.

The organization last month announced it would delay any decision on whether to repeal the ban until May.

Jepsen backs out of Scouts Jamboree

Carly Rae Jespen, gay news, Washington Blade

Carly Rae Jespen (Photo by George Biard via Wikimedia Commons)

LOS ANGELES—Singer Carly Rae Jepsen on Tuesday announced she would not perform at this summer’s Boy Scouts of America Jamboree because of the group’s ban on gay scouts and troop leaders.

“As an artist who believes in equality for all people, I will not be participating in the Boy Scouts of America Jamboree this summer,” she said on her Twitter page.

Jepsen is the latest in a series of high-profile figures including President Obama to speak out against the policy.

The Boy Scouts of America last month said it would delay any decision on whether to repeal the ban until May.

Gay Scout’s Eagle application accepted

(Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

SAN FRANCISCO — Ryan Andresen, who gained national attention when his Eagle Scout application was initially rejected by the Mt. Diablo-Silverado council after he came out as gay, has now been granted the rank of Eagle Scout by the same council, challenging the national organization’s stance.

“It’s the first in-your-face [challenge],” Bonnie Hazarabedian — who chaired the Boy Scout district review board that signed off on Ryan’s Eagle Scout application — told Reuters. “I don’t think sexual orientation should enter into why a Scout is a Scout, or whether they are Eagle material.”

“We felt without a doubt he deserved that rank,” Hazarabedian added.

Madonna presents Anderson’s GLAAD Award

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZI7wRDMsk5k

Madonna hits a home run with her speech prior to presenting Anderson Cooper the Vito Russo Award at this year’s GLAAD Media Awards, taking on Russian President Vladmir Putin, the anti-gay bills in Russia, the Boy Scouts and so much more.

Gay What?

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