The Boy Scouts Half Step

The BSA (Boy Scouts of America) have decided to end the policy against openly gay scouts but keep in place the ban on openly gay adults serving in leadership positions.

These feels like a half step trying to keep two sides happy - those who want to end discrimination against gays and those who want no change in the policy.

In 2000, the Episcopal Church at Their 73rd General Convention held in Denver, CO adpoted the Following Resolution in Response to the Boy Scouts of America's Policy of Discrimination

Text of C031:  "The Boy Scouts of America Policy on Homosexuals" as adopted by the General Convention:

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 73rd General Convention recommends that all clergy in charge of congregations and vestries:

1) Inform the local Boy Scouts of America Council and other organizations of the Episcopal Church's policy adopted at the 65th General Convention (1976) that "homosexual persons are children of God who have full and equal claim with all other persons upon the love, acceptance and pastoral concern and care of the Church;"

2) Encourage the Boy Scouts of America to allow membership to youth and adult leaders irrespective of their sexual orientation; (my emphasis)

3) Strongly encourage individual churches which charter or host scout units to open a dialogue with the unit leaders, scouts and their parents regarding discrimination against youth and leaders on the basis of sexual orientation;

4) Engage in educational programs within their churches to inform members and others about these issues; and be it further


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This issue will not go away for the BSA.  I hope and pray they take the next step and end the policy against openly gay adults from serving in leadership positions.  Let the discrimination end.  (As it has for the Girl Scouts, see link below.)


http://ideas.time.com/2013/05/23/the-girl-scouts-are-better-than-the-boy-scouts/