POLL: Should Boy Scouts Lift Ban on Gay Membership?
Proposed policy shift would be decided by local governing councils.
The Boy Scouts of America may reconsider changing its standing policy currently banning gay youth and leaders from its organization, USA Today reports today.
The call for a shift in the organization's long-standing policy comes after local chapters and some members of the national board called for reconsideration.
The proposed new policy, if approved during next week's national board meeting, would allow decisions to be made locally by the 290 governing councils and 116,000 sponsoring religious and civic groups.
You can read the full story here.
What is your opinion on this proposed policy change? Vote in the poll below and feel free to leave a comment.
Judy Blachek
4:30 pm on Monday, January 28, 2013
Absolutely 100% yes. Why would you exclude someone just because of that?
Kate Binder
4:54 pm on Monday, January 28, 2013
Of course. I won't allow my son to join BSA unless they do. Which is kind of a bummer for everyone involved.
Sonia Prince
5:07 pm on Monday, January 28, 2013
Who cares, I wouldn't let my boys anywhere near groups that discriminate or worship a god of their choice. Discrimination is discrimination, not sure why anyone would want to be part of group like that. If they didn't allow black people or asians or hispanics, would parents look at it differently? Of course they would, not allowing gay people is the same. What's next, no boys with brown eyes?
Mark A. Buckawicki
6:17 pm on Monday, January 28, 2013
That we are discussing this in 2013 is both good and bad. Good because I feel that groups like the Boy Scouts of America et al. should be as inclusive as possible, and bad because this seems like a topic that should have been covered years ago.
David Victory
12:47 am on Tuesday, January 29, 2013
It's not just gays who are discriminated against by the BSA. Atheists and agnostics are shunned as well.
It's a shame. In many ways, the BSA is a great youth development organization. But if every kid isn't welcome, it's a rotten outfit.
Mike black
5:57 am on Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Sounds like you have personal experience with them ?
David Victory
10:03 pm on Tuesday, January 29, 2013
@ Mike
Not very much. I was a cub scout when I was a little kid. I remember it being fun. I made the pinewood car with my dad, and I thought the camping and archery was pretty cool.
Everything else I know about the BSA I learned from others who are involved, or from what I read.
Sean Harris
11:58 pm on Wednesday, January 30, 2013
I agree. The BSA seems to make the assumption that one can't have healthy morals without believing in something. They would prefer I believe in the GFSM than nothing at all, or even questioning.
Jack Wana
6:43 am on Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Transgender badges.
Jan Schmidt
8:11 am on Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Right Jack - then maybe they can give up the Child Molester Badges
Jack Wana
9:15 pm on Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Didn't Ray Buckleys X roommate talk about Child Porn?
Judy Blachek
9:44 pm on Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Jack--I don't see why you are bringing up Ray Buckley's roommate at all except maybe to troll. There's a huge difference between a pedophile and a gay person. Ask anyone who was molested by a pedophile. It's not like the Boy Scouts are voting to become the Man Boy Love Association. You are looking like a fool, but since you aren't sharing your full name I guess it doesn't matter.
Jack Wana
9:52 pm on Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Our not so smart State Rep brought up the subject.
R. Scott White
12:53 pm on Tuesday, January 29, 2013
I want to just mention that in the Nashua area, at least since the 70's that the "Reverence" part of the Boy Scout code, was ... well ... not exactly rigidly enforced. Around here, scouting means some of the best hiking and camping programs around. Please don't throw this baby out with the bathwater. Yes, the "reverence" thing and the old Indian/Akela thing (which I hear has also been pushed into the back), are not acceptable. But check with the specific scouting organizations you deal with; clearly many of them aren't what some of you think they are. "Reverence" IS discussed, however atheists and agnostics DO exist in southern NH Boy Scouts.
Jack Wana
11:18 am on Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Ray Buckley Badges
Atlant Schmidt
11:27 am on Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Jack:
You seem to think an awful lot about gay sex and paedophilia; is everything okay in your love life?
Jack Wana
11:33 am on Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Felony Badges
Mark A. Buckawicki
11:43 am on Wednesday, January 30, 2013
An Acceptance or Equality badge would fit nicely among the Disability Awareness, Family Life, Citizenship in the Community, and Law merit badges already in existence.