Boy Scouts To End Ban On Gay Members: Spokesperson

[cali]

The Boy Scouts of America called to end a long-standing ban on openly gay members, a spokesman said on Friday, but the organization's board must still vote in May on whether to ratify the resolution.

If the vote is approved, "no youth may be denied membership in the Boy Scouts of America on the basis of sexual orientation or preference alone," Deron Smith, the organization's spokesman, told Reuters.

Smith noted that the decision drew from three months of research, surveys and discussions and was "among the most complex and challenging issues facing the BSA and society today."

The deliberations over whether to admit openly gay and lesbian members to the Boy Scouts has divided organizers, polarized its corporate and religious sponsors, and placed the group at the center of a nationwide debate over gay rights over the past two years.

<snip>

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/19/boy-scouts-gay-ban-end-_n_3116306.html

[Warren DeMontague]

1. If this is true, that's great- and long overdue.

[randome]

2. We are living in a time of great changes. Small beginnings but great changes.

[Zorra]

3. Great news, thanks! nt

[KittyWampus]

4. Finally. Many local groups had already done this. Time upper management stopped

with the stupid

[Brother Buzz]

5. Three months of research, surveys and discussions coupled with fears of losing tax-exempt status

At least in California... The pocketbook is a great motivator


California moves towards revoking Boy Scouts tax exempt status over gay ban
April 10, 2013

California has moved one step closer to revoking the tax exemption for the Boy Scouts because of their prohibition against gay members.

The California State Senate Governance and Finance Committee approved The Youth Equality Act by a 5-2 vote on Wednesday, sending the bill to the Senate Committee on Appropriations.

The bill, introduced by state Sen. Ricardo Lara (D-Long Beach), would revoke the sales and corporate tax exemption for any youth group that discriminated against members on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.

“Today’s vote puts California one step closer in bringing full equality to LGBT youth throughout the state,” Lara said in a statement. “With its passage and growing list of supporters and co-authors, we will end this outdated practice of discrimination and exclusion.”

<snip>


http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/04/10/california-moves-towards-revoking-boy-scouts-tax-exempt-status/

[AsahinaKimi]

10. I love my state!

[msongs]

6. "based on sexual orientation or prefrence ALONE". "alone" is the wiggle word nt

[Proud Liberal Dem]

7. Wonder what kind of "other" things they might use to drum gay kids out?

Also, it's important to note that this does not apply to adults (i.e. scout leaders) Well, at least it's a (baby) step in the right direction.......

It's interesting that this isn't even an issue with Girl Scouts AFAIK. Even here in Indiana, some Republican legislator went nuts and started going after GSA and most of his Republican colleagues just laughed at him and ordered Girl Scout cookies and ate them there in the legislature.

[MineralMan]

8. I hope this actually happens.

I'll wait and see. There will be a lot of blowback from the right.

[Fumesucker]

9. Good news, now if they could just get over their hatred of atheists

But I'm not holding my breath on that one.

[lumberjack_jeff]

11. Welcome to the 21st century, guys. n/t

[Orsino]

12. In a related story, the Boy Scouts still don't admit gay people. n/t

[Maven]

13. Gay ADULTS (leaders) would still be banned.

Fuck them.

[Zorra]

14. “I teach my children...

...This is the ideal micro-world in the entire world. I respect this country. I love this country. This country which gives chance to everybody else to be treated as a human being and to just to be human being. To feel yourself human being.”
~ Rusian Tsarni

[riderinthestorm]

15. NO gay adult leaders and no atheists allowed at any level... is this really progress? nt