Comments on: Report: End of Boy Scouts Ban on Gay Scouts and Scout Leaders Imminent

By: gsingjane

gsingjane — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 22:14:11 +0000

In some ways this debate reminds me a lot of the marriage debate… is it better for some places to have marriage equality while others don’t, or is it better for nobody to have it until everybody does? In my view, just as most people would agree it’s better for some folks to be able to get married, it’s also better for at least some Scouts not to have to deal with “the policy.” It would be nice if they changed it for everyone, but especially given the history and the constituency, this is way, way better than nothing. Plus… I have an 85 year old friend who was kicked out of BSA for being gay, and he never thought he’d live to see this day. Now he can, hopefully!

By: Hunter

Hunter — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 00:11:33 +0000

Somebody was feeling the heat. This is probably the best to be hoped for from the national BSA leadership, and it’s a good shift — return the choice to the local organizations and keep the national office out of it.

Michael C: it’s a lot easier to pressure a local council than a national office that’s getting major support from two huge anti-gay churches. And maybe some of those corporations will wise up and target their donations.

By: Timothy Kincaid

Timothy Kincaid — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 21:46:28 +0000

Priya,

I think we may want to invest in earplugs. The shrillness of their whining is sure to be deafening.

But considering that the Scouts were not force by the courts or The Evil Obama Empire, it will be fun to watch them look for someone to blame. I’m guessing it won’t be either the Eagle Scouts that returned their badges or the corporations who said “no more”.

By: Michael C

Michael C — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 21:40:05 +0000

I think this is a wonderful step that will hopefully have a positive effect for thousands of young men and boys.

…but I guess I view this potential change of BSA policy with a fair amount of cynicism. With major corporations withholding donations, this seems like a way to maintain discriminatory policies at the ground level while appeasing corporate donors that have non-discrimination policies.

Local boy scout groups will continue to eject gay youth. Many will not be able to simply “choose a local unit that best meets the needs of their families.”

By: Priya Lynn

Priya Lynn — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 21:37:31 +0000

There’s gonna be some big time whining from the anti-gays over this hee hee.

By: Ben In Oakland

Ben In Oakland — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 21:28:20 +0000

This is a big deal in a lot of ways.

As people in business will tell you, the secret to success is location, location, location.

In this particular case, the handwriting is located on the wall, the support for this nutty policy is not located in so many communities, and the money is no longer located in the bank account.

By: David Roberts

David Roberts — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 21:11:42 +0000

“The Boy Scouts would not, under any circumstances, dictate a position to units, members, or parents.”

Haven’t they been doing this all along, dictating that they not allow gays? Seems rather cowardly to simply eliminate the prohibition without giving it the same force of the original. It’s something, but hardly what it should be.

I hope those who have been withholding donations over this will choose carefully which chapters to donate to should some start allowing gays to participate equally.