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Subscribe to RSSNBC's Pete Williams reports on the major policy shift being considered by the Boy Scouts of America.
The Boy Scouts of America, one of the nation’s largest private youth organizations, is actively considering an end to its decades-long policy of banning gay scouts or scout leaders, according to scouting officials and outsiders familiar with internal discussions.
If adopted by the organization’s board of directors, it would represent a profound change on an issue that has been highly controversial -- one that even went to the US Supreme Court. The new policy, now under discussion, would eliminate the ban from the national organization’s rules, leaving local sponsoring organizations free to decide for themselves whether to admit gay scouts.
“The chartered organizations that oversee and deliver scouting would accept membership and select leaders consistent with their organization’s mission, principles or religious beliefs,” according to Deron Smith, a spokesman for the Boy Scouts’ national organization.
Individual sponsors and parents “would be able to choose a local unit which best meets the needs of their families,” Smith said.
The discussion of a potential change in policy is nearing its final stages, according to outside scouting supporters. If approved, the change could be announced as early as next week, after the BSA's national board holds a regularly scheduled meeting.
Only seven months ago, the Boy Scouts affirmed a policy of banning gay members, after a nearly two-year examination of the issue by a committee of volunteers convened by national leaders of the Boy Scouts of America, known as the BSA.
In a statement last July affirming the ban, its national executive board called it “the best policy for the organization.”
But since then, a scouting official said, local chapters have been urging a reconsideration. "We're a grassroots organization. This is a response to what's happening at the local level," the official said.
Two corporate CEOs on BSA’s national board, Randall Stephenson of AT&T and James Turley of Ernst & Young, have also said they would work to end the ban. Stephenson is next in line to be the BSA’s national chairman. During the 2012 presidential campaign, both Barack Obama and Mitt Romney said the BSA should admit gay scouts and scout leaders.
Jennifer Tyrrell, who was ousted as a den mother for her son's Cub Scout troop because of her sexual orientation, is fighting back. Tyrrell talks to msnbc's Thomas Roberts about her petition to change the Boy Scouts of America's long-standing policy on banning gays and lesbians.
About 50 local United Way groups and several corporations and charities have concluded that the ban violates their non-discrimination requirements and have ceased providing financial aid to the Boy Scouts. An official of The Human Rights Campaign, an advocate for gay rights, said HRC planned to downgrade its non-discrimination ratings for corporations that continue to give the BSA financial support.
“It’s an extremely complex issue,” said one Boy Scouts of America official, who explained that other organizations have threatened to withdraw their financial support if the BSA drops the ban.
While the national scouting organization sets broad policies, more than 290 local councils nationwide govern the day-to-day conduct of the more than 116,000 local organizations. Individual scouting troops are sponsored by religious and civic organizations that represent a diversity of views on the issue of allowing gay scouts and leaders.
“The beliefs of the sponsoring organizations are highly diverse,” the official said.
The policy change now under discussion “would allow the religious, civic or educational organizations that oversee and deliver Scouting to determine how to address this issue,” said the BSA's Smith.
“The Boy Scouts would not, under any circumstances, dictate a position to units, members or parents. Under this proposed policy, the BSA would not require any chartered organization to act in ways inconsistent with that organization’s mission, principles or religious beliefs,” he said.
In 2000, the U.S. Supreme Court concluded that the Boy Scouts had a First Amendment right of free expression when it came to the organization’s belief that homosexual conduct is inconsistent with values stated in the scout oath, requiring scouts to be “morally straight.”
The Scouts have won similar legal battles, with courts finding that the BSA’s right of free association permits it, as a private organization, to reject those it believes do not conform to is values.
Related:
Eagle Scouts return badges to protest policy banning gays
Gay mom upset after dismissal by Boy Scouts
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It's 2013, not 1955 - sorry Baby Boomers
Sorry ? Faith based . remember / No gays thank you .
If they cave, they will never mold my 3 boys or see any of my donations. I'll use Awanas or another scouting organization with ideals similar to mine.
You mean like bigotry and hate?
I bet there are alot of parents that feel the same. It doesn't have anything to do with bigotry or hate. Its just different beliefs and comfort levels.
I've read polls that said nearly 70% of high school seniors support gay marriage. Why are you hanging on to something that is a non-issue with this generation of kids?
i'll bet if they "cave" that a tiny amount of people will choose an alternative and life will go on for the rest. Most people like you tend to be full of bluster, and short on action.
Ryan, I am a Boomer and I support full and equal treatment for all people. Don't write us off because you think we are old fuddy-duddies! :)
Thank you Greg for being a responsible parent.
One thing I am agreeing on is gays in the military. I say lets let them all in and send them to the front line. Welcome to the military!!!
Greg might start singing a different tune if one of his boys turns out to be gay. It happens in every family everywhere because it is part of the natural order of things. Why not just accept it and move on?
Hmmm I wouldn't change an insitution just because so called 70% of high school students agree with it. If you go by that argument, we'd allow people to drink and have sex in the class room because the so called majority agrees with it. Eh what did you know at the age of 17 anyway? Where are these so called adults being an example for the children? The adults are being run into being silent and the radical interests groups are taking control!!! Stop the insanity!!!!
Sad day for the Boy Scouts,
Sierra4emu,
Go back, eat your tofu, and let regular folks debate the issue. The Sandusky's of the world just got another pass....
I hope BSA is saving their nickels and dimes cause there is a law suit comming sure as gays like little boys!!!
What does a pedophile have to do with being gay????????????? OMG, crawl back under your rock.
I would think these gay kids & leaders would prefer joining the girl scouts.
You should change "would" to "should" and end it there.
Well, the Girl Scouts are actually accepting and inclusive so while maybe not joining them, they definitely deserve the donations that the BSA don't.
i would think you would be more intelligent, but you aren't. :)
Are you really so ignorant that you think gay boys want be girls? The vast majority are very happy to be boys and want to be with boys! (There is a small percentage of transexuals but that's a totally separate topic). You need to get an education.
If so many people here are so upset about this and falsely worry that some molestation will occur, I suppose we should also remove men from the Catholic Priesthood, right? Or coaches from football?
Feel free to get a clue.
Exactly. Gays should be allowed (they are there anyway, just closeted). Of course gay sexual behavior should not be allowed in Boy Scout events, just as heterosexual behavior should not be allowed. It's the same as limiting sexual behavior in the military. Scouting teaches a child a lot about responsibility and doing the right thing. They're busy teaching camping and survival skills, knot tying, how to plan and budget, how to get along in groups, canoeing and sportsmanship, archery, knife skills, hiking, nature appreciation, citizenship, and tons more. If you want your boy to never have a gay male leader, coach, clergyman, mentor, friend, boss, etc... good luck to you and your boy! We are everywhere! We don't wear a pink triangle to show you where we are. The vast majority of gay men are upstanding responsible moral people and fine leaders. The same is true of straight men. And yes there are occasional bad apples in both groups but that's not the point here!
Oh no. Just let them coaches of the world molest the little boys of the world. Just so it's not YOUR little boy!!!
I am OK with this..On the other hand the BSA, need to have all their bases covered, for impending law suits that will follow. I can see it already, the kids go camping, and someone will say or do something inappropriate, and parents will have lawyers on it so fast. We live in a sue happy society. Maybe codes of conduct will need to be signed.
Google the BSA lawsuit, it was already happening. Troops on the west coast were hiding pedophile scout leaders.
Being gay does not equal pedophilia... anymore than being heterosexual means pedophilia.
Sandusky was straight.
Sandusky had bras and panties in his sock drawer!! Straight!!!! What a crock. They guy was so gay he swished when he walked. Straight!!! You are a fool!!
It is about time this happened. The Boy Scouts can finally teach the lesson of acceptance, and remove the hatred of those who fear others that are not like them. And for those who think that the gay members will cause problems they should look at those scout leaders and priests that molested so many boys. They were not gay. Those are the people they should be afraid of. Those are the ones that need to be watched.
If we abolish standards for groups, clubs and community organizations....what will the cause be? But, they even want girls to join Boys Scouts too!! So, what is the point? Everything should be gender, race and sexual orientation neutral?
That sounds like a really crappy living to me. It amazes me that liberal America states the beauty of our country is our diversity and difference in a giant melting pot of harmony. But, they also want an overwhelmingly neutral society. It doesnt work that way and it's absurd to even suggest.
That makes absolutely no sense. Yes, diversity means you are tolerant (and therefore neutral toward) people who are different from you. How do you see this as a contradiction?
It makes perfect sense. You want a society that is blind to "some" differences while having to go out of their way to recognize "other" differences...all of which YOU choose.
Dont see the color of my skin, but celebrate black history and allow cultural norms in the "black community". Dont see me as a gay man or woman, after all, "Im just like you"...but recognize and celebrate gay achievements, history and notable persons.
Just FYI Rob -- in some other countries the Scouts are coed.
This ain't 'some other country'!!
Viva Le Difference!!!! Why does everyone have to be the same for so called "rights" and "fairness", some things are more important than "rights" and "equality", such as children's innocense, societal stability and functioning for goodness sakes!!!
The way things are going, people will be able to urinate, defecate and copulate in the streets without penalty. Why not? It's something all human beings do regardless of sexual orientation, etc. - even the animals do it. Yeah, yeah, there are sanitary issues, blah blah. But if people clean up after themselves then what's the problem? Pick up your own poop off the sidealk and dispose of properly. Use a condom in the presence of other people watching you & your partner go at it- we do want to teach safe sex! And if you don't like watching someone stand and pee against a tree in a public park- look away. Just don't say anything disparaging about his peeing or you're being discrimanatory against his need to pee!
Those are behaviors. The last time I checked the boy scouts didn't allow sex of ANY kind at their meetings, and I hardly think that is going to change, do you?
Yea because respecting each other is the same thing as @!$%#ting the streets. /s
That's total bs! If I want to get down with my partner during a BSA meeting then that is my right!! It's something people do- it's a part of our identity; we are all sexual creatures. And if I have the need to get down & dirty right then and there then this is an infringment of my rights as a human being and showing a clear lack of respect for my needs!!
Ignore ProFreedom. Troll.
nhlucky- ignore YOU! If you can't swim the tide, get out of the water of discussion. I posed a reasonable argument and guess what- you can't take it. I made my points and they stick- love it! Argument complete and I win.
*grabs up toys and leaves in a huff*
What 'toys' are those Mikey? heh heh heh...
Care to share publicly? Animals don't mind doing the nasty in the open- why shouldn't the rest of us? Or, do you have something against free expression and the basic needs of being a human being?
Come on people, the boy scouts had gay members before and they will continue to have gay members. Just now they will be eligible to get their badges.
Boy Scout LEADERS finally growing up? They still have a long way to go to reach the developmental maturity of most 4th graders. Won't hold my breath, but will retract one of the ugly things I said about BSA over the past years. Perhaps there is still hope?
This controversy is ridiculous. There are lots of gays in the BSA organization already, and some members are too young or immature (including adults) to yet identify with or accept their sexual orientation (either gay or straight). I'm a gay Eagle Scout, and earned my Eagle before I even knew this organization was so hateful an non-inclusive, though it became more and more clear to me as I got older. They should allow openly gay individuals, and continue to teach morals and upstanding behavior and so many other great skills and lessons they teach. This isn't much different that allowing gays in the military, and it's yet another example of how gays are being treated as less than equal in our hateful society. Any argument to exclude gays is flawed and based on prejudice and ignorance.
You are so right! You know these same narrowminded, backwards thinking bigots are also prejudice against the practitioners of Zoophobia and Necrophilia as well! Some people are so myopic aren't they!
The thumpers are losing on so many fronts. My God, a gay person can go right from Eagle Scout into the marines!!!
Doom and gloom, Sodom and Gomorrah, the sky is falling!!!!!!!!!
Now I am not saying that homosexuals are predominantly sexual predators. I think the majority of them are not.
But young boys on camping trips would be problematic if there were gay men as scout leaders.
It would be tantamount to a heterosexual man wanting to be a girl scout leader. Taking young girls on camping trips would not pass the eye test would it?
I think this is a bad idea.
I'm pretty sure fathers are chaperones on trips for all kinds of groups that include girls.
Alec Baldwin?
If you think a man can't control himself sexually around children (or not), you should look into yourself first. GEEZ! What kind of pervert are you?
Why would a father not be able to be a Girl Scout leader? I don't have any daughters, but I do chaperone field trips for my sons, and there are girls in their classes. Yet, somehow, I manage not to show any of them my junk. It's difficult, because I really want to just show my junk off anytime I'm around children of the opposite sex, but I somehow contain myself. Likewise, the mothers who are leaders in my sons' Scout troops somehow manage to keep their pants on during overnight events. Thank heaven for small miracles, am I right??
This from a gay eagle.... seems you can't control your self!!!
Never thought Knitting would be a Scout badge.
Screw the BSA. They're so backward, along with the Girl Scouts...and I was a Girl Scout for three years. If these organizations take this long to decide whether or not they should BAN gay kids, they don't deserve to remain open. If I were a parent, whether or not I had a gay child, I'd find another organization to which my child can participate....there are hundreds of ones that aren't DISCRIMINATORY and ARCHANE in their thinking. And for those idiots on here who think the BSA "shouldn't back down, who cares what they think", then you're not fit to be a parent, or a citizen. You're a racist, backward-thinking, regressive homophobe who doesn't deserve to live in a land of "justice and liberty for all".
OH MAN, you were so very, very close! Unfortunately you failed to include the term Xenophobe! Had you done so, you would have created an almost perfect Alinsky Rant! With a little increased effort I'm sure you can do better Comrade! I'm sure you felt that the term Racist would cover that , however racist isn't inclusive enough for that! I do have to give you credit that it wasn't germaine to the topic however!
Play the death march for the Boy scouts, what father in there right mind would knowingly turn there son over to a homosexual! And why would one want to be a boy scout leader, it's not like there a devoted parent.
I will openly support organizations pulling out of the boy scout program and starting there own programs. I deeply regret that a few shallow minds are willing to destroy this organization. And I am sure that there will be those out there that will call me and like minded parents shallow minded. But we as parents don't have the option when it comes to protecting our children, once something happens it's to late, 1 chance in a thousand when it comes to destroying a child is to much!
i do too ! and i'm glad they are thinking of stopping it and finally possibly ending the ban :)
i agree with you on this too:
and considering MOST pedophiles are actually HETEROSEXUAL MALES, then you should probably keep your kids away from them :)
Ahhemmm!!! MOST pedofiles are faggots!!!!
Let us clear up the facts, the ONLY reason most pedophiles are heterosexual is because there are far more heteros then gays..... The ONLY reason.
Good to see the BSA turn away from the path to irrelevance.
What respect for the Boy Scouts I had will be completely lost if they cave in their principles to external leftists. You can teach respect for all people, reagrdless of sexual orientation, without condoning it. If they do this I will NOT ever recommend the Boy Scouts to any kid in the future.
External left? I'm an Eagle scout. I support this. Nothing worse than seeing kids "drop out" over the years.
Exactly how do they teach respect regardless of sexual orientation when they deny an Eagle Scout recipient his award just because he is gay? When they rescind membership to scouts who are gay? When they kick out gay leaders who love what BSA stand for except for this one prejudice?
matt... I am sure you hate to see the little ones go. They were actually the easiest!!!
Matt - there is something worse. A teenager who is just coming into his adolescence and maybe doesn't fit in, nor get looks from the girls, and being immature and wanting to be accepted, he caves into the suggestions of his gay ScoutMaster that he must have been "born gay". "Oh its quite alright" So they go ahead and indulge themselves, and in the process turn an otherwise confused sexual identity into one of homosexuality. We may be born with certain genetic traits, but our identity about who we are (including our sexual one) is still very much in flux at this period of time in human development.
That is why the Gay Agenda is targeting children!!! They are easier prey to manipulate and confuse!!! It's a nefarias agenda! Untill children are adults who can think for themselves the homosexual indoctrinate needs to stay away!!! Our children's minds and bodies are sacred and should not be corrupted because of so called "rights" and political correctness!!!
That is why the Gay Agenda is targeting children!!! They are easier prey to manipulate and confuse!!! It's a nefarias agenda! Untill children are adults who can think for themselves the homosexual indoctrination needs to stay away!!! Our children's minds and bodies are sacred and should not be corrupted because of so called "rights" and Political Correctness!!!
That is why the religious right is targeting children!!! They are easier prey to manipulate and confuse!!! It's a nefarious agenda! Until children are adults who can think for themselves the religious indoctrination needs to stay away!!! Our children's minds and bodies are sacred and should not be corrupted because of so called "rights" and religion!!!
There, I fixed that for you. (I also correct some spelling mistakes)
This doesn't surprise me! It's sad that this country is caving into a very small minority demanding their way over what made this country great. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom not the fear of a few people in our country. This path of Godlessness that America seems to want to pursue is going to end in total destruction of the America most of us enjoy.
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom"
Do people actually believe this in this century? Sounds kind of medieval.
I should think that William would want to join the girl scouts.
Comedy is not your strong suit.
I'm being completely serious.
That makes it even more pathetic!
If BSA does in fact make this choice they will lose the support of myself and all my friends and associates! Perhaps that's no big deal, however Im reasonably certain there are many more groups such as ours that feel the same way!
I'm sure they have weighed the pros and cons and have decided that losing intolerant people will not be the worst thing that can happen. They probably assume most people will grow up.
Yep, they call themselves the GOP, the KKK, "Christians"....
Ted, have you noticed how intolerant the homosexual populous is if you don't agree with their lifestyle? They scream for tolerance but give absolutely none to those who take a stand for what God says in His word.
Ah yes Terry, the old intolerant of intolerance defense. How about you live your life and they live their lives and we all mind our own business. Boy scout badges for everyone who earns them.
How true Mike! Now Boy Scout Badges will hold the same value as does the Nobel Prize! That and $6.50 will get you a cup at Starbucks! I'm no longer even surprized as the Leftists devalue everything of worth while elevating the worthless to high status! They render everything around them valueless, irrelevent and meaningless, especially themselves!
I'm not sure how you can equate tolerance with devaluing.
Mike, with a face like that you have nothing to laugh about!!!
I honestly hope the Boy scouts end the ban because I would love to let my son join. I just choose not too considering their close minded stance on this issue.
God...I am completely appalled at the number of homophobic, close-minded, prejudiced, hate-filled mongers that are on this site. Whenever I travel abroad, I often say how ashamed I am to be an American. This country is so full of hate, and the veneer of being so "open, friendly, smiling, welcoming" that this country loves to portray in its so-called "exceptionalism" is disgusting.
The Borders are OPEN, clearly in both directions! Don't allow anyone to force you to remain in a Country you find so very distasteful! We will try to overcome our grief at your lose, we might even throw a little party!
then you should 'travel abroad' and stay there!!
Hey Inter... have you met our presidents wife? She has the same hatred for America!!! Maybe you should try your luck in Iraq!!
Why does the media have this overwhelming urge to push the G&L agenda? I personally do not care about a persons sexual orientation but it seems that the media has taken up the cause and have all but become spokespeople for the lifestyle.... I wonder if they would ever cover a heterosexual parade with the fervor they do gay pride parades.
The coverage of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade is pretty good.
Why does the media have this overwhelming urge to push anti-gun law agenda? This is NBC, as far left as FoxNews is far right.
I don't suppose we could ever hope for any media outlet to be completely impartial......as they should be. They all suck ....
Mike is absolutely right. The Rose Bowl parade gets a lot of coverage too, as do 4th of July parades. Sports which are far more popular with straights (like football) get plenty of coverage too. Maybe gays should protest so much heterosexual coverage in the news, but so far they are tolerant. C'mon, people, this really isn't about "us vs. them" "gays vs. straights". We're all everywhere. At every event, in every school, in every town, in every organization, in every industry, in every religion, in every culture, in every specials of mammal!
Yes, but those parades have NOTHING to do with sex or the display of sex. Sex isn't even mentioned, nor orientation or rights.
Are you saying because the overwhelming majority of people who attend such functions are heterosexual, that we have had our "representation" without actually saying anything about our sexual orientation? If so, then you have had yours too. No doubt there are hundreds if not thousands of homosexuals at those parades and functions as well and nobody knew. If we had a heterosexual "parade" without saying anything, why can't you?
Hey Rob, you want to have a heterosexual pride parade knock yourself out. I'll even come watch.
Mike ...If there was such parade. Those involved would be called "bigots" and "biblethumpers" See how that works ?
No, not really.
The sad part is that PValdes is right, that is about what it would come to.
The same thing was said in the 60's and 70's about racial causes, as they made headlines all across the country. Every time racism and exclusion was opposed, every time a racial minority was the 'first' to break into something that was exclusively white, that was front page news. The news isn't championing their cause as much as they are reporting on stories that are important to many of their viewers/readers, just as they were with the civil rights movement. If these stories weren't important to people and attracting attention, no one would be publishing them.