Boy Scouts of America: No Gay Members or Lesbian Leaders Allowed

July 18th, 2012 - By Brande Victorian

Proving that not everyone has jumped on the gay rights bandwagon, the Boy Scouts of America has chosen to openly reaffirm its ban on gay members as well as any gay or lesbian adult leaders the organization announced yesterday in a statement. According to the New York Times, the official policy reads:

“While the B.S.A. does not proactively inquire about the sexual orientation of employees, volunteers or members, we do not grant membership to individuals who are open or avowed homosexuals or who engage in behavior that would become a distraction to the mission of the B.S.A.”

It may not seem like it, but the decision came after much thought. In 2010, the Boy Scouts formed a committee of 11 “volunteers and professional leaders to evaluate whether the policy was in the best interests of the organization,” a statement from the group read. The committee reportedly “included a diversity of perspectives” and engaged in “extensive research and evaluations,” to see where they should stand on this issue and in the end they came to the conclusion that nothing needed to change.

According to a news release from its headquarters in Irving, TX, the exclusionary policy “reflects the beliefs and perspectives” of the private organization. Bob Mazzuca, the chief Scout executive, followed that sentiment with this comment:

‘The vast majority of the parents of youth we serve value their right to address issues of same-sex orientation within their family, with spiritual advisers and at the appropriate time and in the right setting. While a majority of our membership agrees with our policy, we fully understand that no single policy will accommodate the many diverse views among our membership or society.”

But did they even try? My main issue with their policy is that I think it reaffirms beliefs that all homosexual men—and even boys— are predators lacking any type of discretion when it comes to their attraction to the same sex. I’m inclined to believe the Boy Scouts of America views this policy almost as a safety measure to prevent a Catholic Church molestation-like situation among members and leaders because a child’s sexual orientation—or their scout leader’s or den mother’s—should never come up in the process of camping, earning badges, and reciting pledges.

As a private organization, BSA can certainly implement any sort of policy it wants legally, but the question is, is this one fair? What do you think?

Brande Victorian is the news and operations editor for madamenoire.com. Follow her on twitter @Be_Vic.

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truthbtold

Smart Move!
bits

the constitution is wrong and was written by egotistical white men who owned slaves and thought that women should have no rights. consider the source before you hop on the patriarchal bandwagon and try to stand by a deeply flawed system/ constitution.
- wveronica7
  
  That is why you have the option to live in another country under another constitution if you do not agree with the way of THIS land. Trust me I know the source and I know how to make it work for me.
A Father

There is currently a large class action suit against the Boy Scouts in Canada for not doing enough to investigate the men who were allowed into that organization during the last three decades. It was later proven that thousands of young boys had been molested by homosexual peadophiles and the Scouts swept it under the rug. The ban is a good policy because such organizations attract such men who are sexual attracted to boys. The Scouts failed these children in the past but now they have much stricter rules and psychological testing to weed out these men. Homosexual peadophiles gravitate towards these single sex clubs because they think it’s easy pickings.
Robert Hagedorn

Should the anus be used as a sex organ? Google First Scandal.
realadulttalk

I don’t agree with this stance…nor will I support anything they do. IMO this is teaching children to not embrace someone b/c they are different. The poor child whose mother started this is already an outcast (I’m sure) by many people due to his mothers sexual orientation. BSA made him more of an outcast. Sadly, in an organization that is supposed to teach unity…they are truly lacking. And for those who support–I bet good money there used to be a policy excluding minorities.
realadulttalk

I don’t agree with this stance…nor will I support anything they do. IMO this is teaching children to not embrace someone b/c they are different. The poor child whose mother started this is already an outcast (I’m sure) by many people due to his mothers sexual orientation. BSA made him more of an outcast. Sadly, in an organization that is supposed to teach unity…they are truly lacking. And for those who support–I bet good money there used to be a policy excluding minorities.
realadulttalk

I don’t agree with this stance…nor will I support anything they do. IMO this is teaching children to not embrace someone b/c they are different. The poor child whose mother started this is already an outcast (I’m sure) by many people due to his mothers sexual orientation. BSA made him more of an outcast. Sadly, in an organization that is supposed to teach unity…they are truly lacking. And for those who support–I bet good money there used to be a policy excluding minorities.
wveronica7

I agree with BSA stance. Its a private organization and they do not have to conform to the beliefs of society. I also agree with Chick-fil-a choosing not to support gay marriage. Although I am not against gay marriage, they are a christian organization and have a different view on the matter. You have gay rights groups petitioning everyone to boycott the restaurant, however, I feel you don’t have to eat there if you do not agree with their christian views. Just like BSA, you don’t have to sign your sons up if you don’t agree with their views. Simple. I am ALL for equal rights but you cannot force people to conform their beliefs to yours if it is not harming humanity.
wveronica7

I agree with BSA stance. Its a private organization and they do not have to conform to the beliefs of society. I also agree with Chick-fil-a choosing not to support gay marriage. Although I am not against gay marriage, they are a christian organization and have a different view on the matter. You have gay rights groups petitioning everyone to boycott the restaurant, however, I feel you don’t have to eat there if you do not agree with their christian views. Just like BSA, you don’t have to sign your sons up if you don’t agree with their views. Simple. I am ALL for equal rights but you cannot force people to conform their beliefs to yours if it is not harming humanity.
wveronica7

I agree with BSA stance. Its a private organization and they do not have to conform to the beliefs of society. I also agree with Chick-fil-a choosing not to support gay marriage. Although I am not against gay marriage, they are a christian organization and have a different view on the matter. You have gay rights groups petitioning everyone to boycott the restaurant, however, I feel you don’t have to eat there if you do not agree with their christian views. Just like BSA, you don’t have to sign your sons up if you don’t agree with their views. Simple. I am ALL for equal rights but you cannot force people to conform their beliefs to yours if it is not harming humanity.
wveronica7

I agree with BSA stance. Its a private organization and they do not have to conform to the beliefs of society. I also agree with Chick-fil-a choosing not to support gay marriage. Although I am not against gay marriage, they are a christian organization and have a different view on the matter. You have gay rights groups petitioning everyone to boycott the restaurant, however, I feel you don’t have to eat there if you do not agree with their christian views. Just like BSA, you don’t have to sign your sons up if you don’t agree with their views. Simple. I am ALL for equal rights but you cannot force people to conform their beliefs to yours if it is not harming humanity.
Mystique

Whoever came up with the policy, thank you! Personally, i think it’s a good policy. Some people don’t want their kids being influenced by gays and lesbians. I’m one of them.
- bits
  
  there are millions of people who you don’t even know are gay. so sorry, your children are being influenced by gay people everyday and will be for the rest of their lives.
  - Na Na
    
    @disqus_bc8E8zG9WO:disqus it seems as if you’ve had a hard time with your sexuality. No one is attacking you or your brother or whomever is dear to your heart that is gay. However you must be realistic and understand that being gay/homosexual is a personal choice and no one has to agree with it. You have the right to be safe, loved and employed regardless how you feel but you do not have the right to be automatically agreed with. And i think its sad that you are so proud to expose someones child to something that they obviously feels is a situation that needs to be handled with care. You are so gung ho for your right to be gay while disregarding the rights of parents to rear their children in a manner that they find appropriate. Maybe the BSA’s problem is with homosexual people who feel like you…..who feel its appropriate to disrespect the wishes of childrens’ parents if it benefits their agenda.
    - bits
      
      i stopped reading at “personal choice” because anyone who still believes that is irrational and refuses to educated themselves about the people with whom they share the world with. pathetic.
      - GetAClue
        
        OMG, people have desires all the time, the desire to eat more than you should, the desire to sleep with a married man as well as a desire to sleep with the opposite sex. You are no robot being controlled by a gay brain, you are a human being and have the choice on whether or not to act on your desires. That’s what separateness us humans from lower life forms like dogs, insects and rabbits. They have instincts, we have instincts as well as the ability to reason so to say you don’t have a “personal choice” to sleep with and date people of your own sex is ridiculous, defies science and means your merely a dog humping for instinctual purposes. I however know that you are more than that.
  - Na Na
    
    @disqus_bc8E8zG9WO:disqus it seems as if you’ve had a hard time with your sexuality. No one is attacking you or your brother or whomever is dear to your heart that is gay. However you must be realistic and understand that being gay/homosexual is a personal choice and no one has to agree with it. You have the right to be safe, loved and employed regardless how you feel but you do not have the right to be automatically agreed with. And i think its sad that you are so proud to expose someones child to something that they obviously feels is a situation that needs to be handled with care. You are so gung ho for your right to be gay while disregarding the rights of parents to rear their children in a manner that they find appropriate. Maybe the BSA’s problem is with homosexual people who feel like you…..who feel its appropriate to disrespect the wishes of childrens’ parents if it benefits their agenda.
  - Na Na
    
    @disqus_bc8E8zG9WO:disqus it seems as if you’ve had a hard time with your sexuality. No one is attacking you or your brother or whomever is dear to your heart that is gay. However you must be realistic and understand that being gay/homosexual is a personal choice and no one has to agree with it. You have the right to be safe, loved and employed regardless how you feel but you do not have the right to be automatically agreed with. And i think its sad that you are so proud to expose someones child to something that they obviously feels is a situation that needs to be handled with care. You are so gung ho for your right to be gay while disregarding the rights of parents to rear their children in a manner that they find appropriate. Maybe the BSA’s problem is with homosexual people who feel like you…..who feel its appropriate to disrespect the wishes of childrens’ parents if it benefits their agenda.
kay

I agree with their policy! Im all for gay right but all hell will brake loose when somebodies son comes up molested. That would make boy scouts a great place for predators. Think about it, if someone did get molested that’s another lawsuit for boy scouts of America. Way to protect the kids!
- bits
  
  so straight people don’t molest children? wow.
  - Jen
    
    Yes straight people do molest children, thats why the BSA doesn’t allow Men to be den mothers and go off on overnight camping trips with girls, and why women are not allowed to be Cub leaders and help young boys get dressed for various occasions. When it comes to kids over protection is the way, its nothing personal its about the safety of OUR babies.
    - bits
      
      huh? so let me get this straight (no pun intended) you’re saying that if young boys are kept around and looked after only by men they will not get molested because the people responsible for them are of the same gender? And vice versa for women and young girls? seriously? please tell me that is not what you are saying.
  - Jen
    
    Yes straight people do molest children, thats why the BSA doesn’t allow Men to be den mothers and go off on overnight camping trips with girls, and why women are not allowed to be Cub leaders and help young boys get dressed for various occasions. When it comes to kids over protection is the way, its nothing personal its about the safety of OUR babies.
  - Jen
    
    Yes straight people do molest children, thats why the BSA doesn’t allow Men to be den mothers and go off on overnight camping trips with girls, and why women are not allowed to be Cub leaders and help young boys get dressed for various occasions. When it comes to kids over protection is the way, its nothing personal its about the safety of OUR babies.
  - Jen
    
    Yes straight people do molest children, thats why the BSA doesn’t allow Men to be den mothers and go off on overnight camping trips with girls, and why women are not allowed to be Cub leaders and help young boys get dressed for various occasions. When it comes to kids over protection is the way, its nothing personal its about the safety of OUR babies.
- realadulttalk
  
  Supposedly straight men are generally the ones molesting children.
- realadulttalk
  
  Supposedly straight men are generally the ones molesting children.
- realadulttalk
  
  Supposedly straight men are generally the ones molesting children.
- realadulttalk
  
  Supposedly straight men are generally the ones molesting children.
Gimmeabreak78

I actually don’t have a problem with the Boy Scouts Policy at all. They are a private organization, and as such, have a right to be as inclusive or exclusive as they desire. What people keep forgetting in the whole gay rights movement (and I am a proud supporter of gay rights) is that PUBLIC (i.e. government-based or funded) schools, organizations, etc cannot expect to receive funding from the public’s tax dollars, but want to exlude gay members of the public from having full access to the rights and benefits thereof. As for private organizations, they can do whatever they want. For example, if I were a fur-coat wearer, I wouldn’t expect to be welcomed with open arms by PETA, nor should I. There is a difference between making public organizations be non-discriminatory and forcing one’s conscience on a private organization.
- Na Na
  
  This is a great rebuttal. Personal feelings aside.
- Na Na
  
  This is a great rebuttal. Personal feelings aside.
- Na Na
  
  This is a great rebuttal. Personal feelings aside.
- Na Na
  
  This is a great rebuttal. Personal feelings aside.
Lexa

Hmm…well what I got from the article was that the B.S.A refuses membership to “individuals who are open or avowed homosexuals or who engage in behavior that would become a distraction to the mission of the B.S.” which I think means gay men who are basically going around letting everyone know about their sexual orientation, e.g. the flamboyant individuals who could be a distraction. I’m sure they’ve had members that were homosexuals but I’m sure those individuals felt it was their right to keep their sexual orientation private. Why would this topic even be brought up in this type of setting?
Na Na

Kudos! Its about time that a corporation stood up to gay rights bullies. Ok so you’re saying everybody has rights but people who disagree with homosexuality. Everybody has a right to date and love who they want to except the people who disagree with homosexuality…please. I am glad that BSA have defended their decision, everybody doesn’t feel how you feel about gays and lesbians and quite frankly that’s their American right, nobody labeled all gays and lesbians as sexual predators so stop putting words in people just to make some invalid point.
- bits
  
  this was the same argument that racist whites used in the post slavery/jim crow south. Just change the words…”Its about time that a corporation stood up to Civil Rights bullies. Ok so you’re saying everybody has rights but people who disagree with integration/interracial relationships”. its the EXACT same ridiculous argument that racist used when trying to justify why they felt it was right to exclude blacks from voting, sitting at the front of the bus, drinking from the same water fountains, eating in the same restaurants. Its scary how people in this country cannot see the direct correlation between what happened to Blacks in this country a few decades and what is happening to gay people now.
  - Na Na
    
    @disqus_bc8E8zG9WO:disqus You make absolutely no sense. What you are using is referred to in the English language as a fallacy, using a completely irrelevant and obsolete point to try to prove or disprove another point. Im sorry but in no way shape or form can drinking water behind a Black person or White person for that matter cause you to inherit their race, or grow a long slender nose, or grow an afro. So stop it. However as a leader of a group of 5, 6 and 7 year old kids, being openly and flamboyantly homosexual CAN and WILL lead children (naturally) to be curious, ask questions, experiment, and explore what it means to be homosexual. Whether this is good or bad, its a parents choice when, where and how their children will be exposed to this. So yes, once again I state, Kudos to the BSA, because the parents are the people who pay dues, dedicate their time and entrust the BSA with their children so yes they do get a say as to the nature in which their children are exposed.
    - realadulttalk
      
      So all gay people are flamboyant?? Do YOU realize how YOU sound as you attempt to go in on another person?
      - Na Na
        
        You guys keep using the word ALL, nobody including myself or the BSA said ALL. However you cannot single out people on a person to person basis, which gay/homosexuals they personally like. YOU guys are killing me with your rhetoric. STOP picking out small grammatical issues and things that have nothing to do with the bottom line of this discussion.
        
        realadulttalk
        
        Did you read the article above OR the one it’s referencing? I’m kinda thinking the answer to that is no based on your replies.
      - Na Na
        
        ……and regardless if they are what you would consider to be flamboyant (which is a large scale on what different people see as flamboyant) being openly gay will have the same impact whether flamboyant or not. Stop taking it personal, we are talking about babies, small children and regardless who you as an individual love at night that is a parents choice when enrolling their child in a private institution.
        
        realadulttalk
        
        Taking it personal??? Because you sound misinformed?? I have a child sweetheart…but I’d never be so closed-minded. And you now trying to rationalize your previous statement is truly a waste of time.
        
        bits
        
        now thats real talk…
    - realadulttalk
      
      So all gay people are flamboyant?? Do YOU realize how YOU sound as you attempt to go in on another person?
    - realadulttalk
      
      So all gay people are flamboyant?? Do YOU realize how YOU sound as you attempt to go in on another person?
    - realadulttalk
      
      So all gay people are flamboyant?? Do YOU realize how YOU sound as you attempt to go in on another person?
    - Gimmeabreak78
      
      I also take slight issue with what you are saying. Whites didn’t enforce Jim Crow because they thought their skin would turn black by sitting near black people or drinking from the same water fountains. One of the many goals of Jim Crow was to prevent miscegenation. White families didn’t want their sons and daughters to bring a black boy/girl home,so one way to prevent that was to minimize the interactions blacks and whites had with each other. Whites didn’t want their kids accepting the “black lifestyle”, whatever they perceived that to be. The same thought pattern is behind your statment that kids will view the “homsexual lifestyle” as acceptable if they are around gays who are out of the closet. BTW, just like black people are not a monolith, neither are gays. They are not all flamboyant.
    - bits
      
      blah, blah, blah. kids are curious creatures period. the bsa “protecting” or excluding gays/lesbians from them will only fuel their curiosity. you completely missed the point. and i have a feeling that no matter how much one tries to explain the obvious truth about an issue to you you will still miss the point.
      - realadulttalk
        
        Child give up!!! Lol Some people are just meant to live in their little box…it’s cardboard and can’t withstand much…but it’s their box to have fall apart around them. We can just sit back and watch it happen
  - Gimmeabreak78
    
    I have to take slight issue with the argument that you are making. I think that you are partially right when you state that whites used the same argument against blacks during Jim Crow that Na Na is making against homosexuality today. The difference between Jim Crow argument and Na Na’s argument is that whites wanted to keep blacks out of places of public accommodation and places funded by tax-payer dollars (schools, hotels, buses, etc) and Na Na is just saying that BSA has the right to keep gays out. I could see Na Na’s point if he/she saying that gays shouldn’t have the public accommodation rights that blacks do (I don’t know if she feels that way or not, but she certainly didn’t say that).
    - bits
      
      I completely understand your point. but the issue comes in when these young impressionable boys become members of our public society. what is the message that bsa is sending to these young men who will one day be shaping our future? that its okay to exclude people because of their sexuality. If we look at the whole picture yes bsa is a “private” organization but the children with whom they are molding will be free adult citizens of this earth one day and excluding gays/lesbians inevitably sends a message that discrimination is good and that acceptance of diversity is wrong. Across the board we are ALL more alike than different.
      - Gimmeabreak78
        
        I agree, but who am I to determine the rightness or wrongness of homosexuality for someone else? Especially someone else whose views on the subject are based on his/her religious or moral teachings? For example, I personally believe that Jesus is the Messiah and God Incarnate, but most Jews and Muslims would strenuously disagree with me on that point and might even preclude me from having membership in their private organizations based on that. That’s their right to think/feel that way. The way to combat opinions/beliefs you disagree with is to have your own, not to silence the opposition. Though we are all more alike than different, I don’t really have an interest in suprressing those differences. That’s what makes America such a wonderful place to live. The differences amongst us are allowed to flourish in relative peace compared to other nations.
  - cookies5
    
    Excuse me but you.can never ever ever compare to what the gays and lesbians are going through.now to what our parents and grandparents and aunts and uncles been through and im tired of hearing that crap. If they have a problem with what the boys scouts stand for then they can go and start there own organazation just for them where they can feel comfortable and welcomed IJS and by the way I am a very proud scout parent.
    - bits
      
      figures. btw many of those parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles that you mentioned and are so very and rightfully proud were…gay.
bits

wow! B.S.A is a disgrace to humanity and should be called out for its bigotry and discriminatory practices.
- Gimmeabreak78
  
  Kinda harsh, don’t you think?
  - bits
    
    yes. what the b.s.a is doing is very harsh, unfair and extremely unrealistic.
    - ChildPlease
      
      Lol, she’s talking about you, but Im sure since your soooo smart you already knew that.
      - bits
        
        ha! you should be on comedy central.
    - ChildPlease
      
      Lol, she’s talking about you, but Im sure since your soooo smart you already knew that.
    - ChildPlease
      
      Lol, she’s talking about you, but Im sure since your soooo smart you already knew that.
    - ChildPlease
      
      Lol, she’s talking about you, but Im sure since your soooo smart you already knew that.
    - Gimmeabreak78
      
      Don’t forget that the BSA is a private organization. They have the right to include or exclude whomever they want. Is the United Negro College Fund a disgrace to humanity for its discriminatory practices? They don’t give scholarships to white kids. Are Christian churches a disgrace to humanity? They won’t allow Jews to be pastors. I’m all for being open and accepting of people, but calling them disgraces to society because they have religious/personal views that differ from yours is what I would call harsh.
      - bits
        
        I completely understand your point. but the issue comes in when these young impressionable boys become members of our public society. what is the message that bsa is sending to these young men who will one day be shaping our future? that its okay to exclude people because of their sexuality. If we look at the whole picture yes bsa is a “private” organization but the children with whom they are molding will be free adult citizens of this earth one day and excluding gays/lesbians inevitably sends a message that discrimination is good and that acceptance of diversity is wrong. Across the board we are ALL more alike than different.

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