DigitalScout

In the Supreme Court's DOMA ruling, the majority stated that prohibiting gay adults from marrying created a stigma for the children of gay parents. You can draw a parallel in the BSA gay adult leader ban creates a similar stigma. Children of heterosexual parents are allowed to be leaders where children of gay parents are NOT allowed. Not only does the BSA policy create two classes of adult leaders, it also creates a two classes of Scouts. Johnny's parents are allowed to be leaders but Jimmy's parents are NOT.

Some people's attitudes never change. In a poll taken in 2012, 29% of likely Republican voters in Mississippi feel that interracial marriage should be illegal. http://huff.to/wrfr8J [Huffington Post]

I strongly believe we need to teach kids how to take risk and take the proper measures to avoid getting hurt or injured. For example, teach kids how to cross the street but look both ways before doing so. Or how to walk to the store on their own then what to do if they are approached by a stranger. But the current trend for parents is to avoid any and all risk. I agree that you can't learn to take real-life risks by playing video games.

The site was down over the weekend and realized how much I use it.

The California legislature occasionally passes these meaningless bills just to make a political statement. I'm no lawyer but I think if the IRS says you are a non-profit, then you are a non-profit. Just because our legislature votes to pull the non-profit status of the BSA doesn't mean it will be upheld in court.

I love this idea. Not only is silk soft to the touch but will make any scout look dashing!

That seems like a silly statement probably inserted to appease some highly conservative religious group. Of course sexual activity at scouting events is verboten. But if we overhear talk about some 16-17 yo scout making out with his girlfriend, our we expected to toss him? I think the BSA should stop being trying to be the sex police.

@EmberMike - All of America has a dog in this fight. The BSA is a national treasure which should be open to all to enjoy. I know many will disagree with that statement and will cite the BSA being a private organization, the Dale decision, etc. But the BSA is a national treasure much like our National Parks which have been set aside for all to enjoy. The more kids we get into Scouting, the stronger America will be. So that means removing all barriers so we can get more kids and teach them the importance of values, leadership, being prepared, service to others, self-reliance and persevera

I don't see the big deal. Gays are about 2-3% of the population. The chances of a gay scout are small. To most Americans it's no big deal. But the BSA has a large number of conservatives who think that once gays are allowed in, they will start recruiting impressionable boys to become gay because many conservatives believe homosexuality is a choice. So to them it is a matter of life and death of the BSA. Personally we should open the doors and focus on more important matters.

From the tone of the editorial, it is safe to assume the resolution has been approved. They know the results already because the votes have already been cast.

Oh yeah, it's crystal clear.

I thought it was clever.

That DE probably meant that a child can be denied membership for behavioral problems which is different than denying membership based on ethnicity or religious beliefs.

I think you missed the point of the OP. 63% of Americans think the BSA policy is unfair and gay people are being treated with inequality. We, Americans, strongly believe that everyone should get a fair chance. I don't understand what that has to do with installing answering machines at National.

I've been hearing complaints from several scouts that they don't want to be in Cub Scouts any more. The kids love the activities but they hate the uniform (class-A). They say that the uniforms are too hot and the collar bothers them so don't want to wear it. So it becomes a big ordeal when the parent has to fight the scout to wear his uniform and come to events. I've been looking for alternatives including removing the collar and minimizing the number of patches. I've picked over the thread "Why No Collarless Shirt?" and the adults even say that collarless shirts are much cooler. The

@mozartbrau - The BSA anti-gay policy is well known among scouters. The general public for the most part isn't aware of the policy. I've had parents approach me after a couple of years in scouting and were surprised that such a policy exists. I'm surprised too. It is 2013 afterall.

If you disagree with the policy, it's important that you join and lend your voice to the chorus of equality and fairness. The national BSA only listens to it's members, not outsiders. The fight for equality and fairness will continue regardless of the policy vote outcome.

If leg crossing, awkward bat holding and excessive show tune singing are the criteria, then 90% of the dad's in our troop are surely gay

My plan is the same: have the BPSA unit leaders registered as BSA den leaders for the background check and training. I'll pay the BPSA fee if anything just to support them. I'all take it out of my FOS contribution. Our CO thinks it's a great idea and is very supportive. They are awesome like that.

Great post - your courage is inspirational. I think most of the anti-gay crowd has never met a real life gay person. If they have, they would understand that they are just like everyone else.

We have a cub scout mom starting a BPSA unit for her 7yo daughter. We will be running the BPSA program in parallel to our cub scout program and treating the BPSA unit just like a den.

The email sounds dreadful. But it is a perfect example of what to expect when a policy exists that treats a class of people as inferior. Basically it gives the green light to haters to spread their hateful message. Scouting doesn't need those people. If the BSA allows gays, it will flush out this kind of trash. Just imagine what a gay scout will have to endure by gay-hating scouters if the proposed policy is approved.

I think the disparity is because scouters tend to be older (over 50?). Older people tend to be more conservative and tradition-minded.