Boy Scouts to Lift the Ban on Gay Leaders and Members
January 31, 2013
The Boy Scouts of America may soon lift its ban on openly gay members and leaders. In 2000, the Scouts successfully defended the ban in the U.S. Supreme Court, arguing that as a private organization it was not subject to anti-discrimination laws. More than 3 million youth are involved in scouting, in troops that are typically sponsored by civic and church. groups. Read more. What is interesting about this?
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CJS-360 Diversity Issues 
I think the views of so many people are so interesting about this. As talked about in class- many boy scounts with gay parents will probably leave the boy scounts. Also, many boy scouts that are very religious or have parents that are religious or do not believe in people being gay will probably leave too. It would be hard to make a decision whether to ban or not- either way there will be boy scounts leaving the organization.
I agree Danni- I’d really like to hear other’s point of views on this one because personally I do not see how one’s sexual preferences has anything to do with their ability to do their job. Being gay doesn’t mean that you’re sex-driven like popular myths project but I can also understand the concerns of parents due to recent scandals that have happened. But I think you’re right, it’s all going to depend on the parents religious or ethical beliefs as to whether one will let their little one join. This is a very sketchy situation that cannot be solved over night.
I completely agree with you Lindsay, one’s sexual orientation shouldn’t have anything to do with their ability to do a job and/or even be perfectly functional members of our society. I certainly understand and respect other people’s views that differ from mine and i truly feel that is the beauty of this country – that we can respectfully disagree and have opposing views. As a private entity the Boy Scouts of America can continue to discriminate, but history can longer judge such organizations with mercy. The tide is certainly turning, and its good to see that despite their strong views against gays for such a long time, they have finally come to the realization that that stance is no longer tenable.
Ultimately though, we still need to go a long way as country, and we have come so far on the front of discrimination. I am happy we are making progress.
I think the Supreme Court was wrong in their decision to begin with. I would have to look at the case precedent for why they chose to uphold that it was fair for it to be against their bylaws, but as far as I know, they are not a religious group, and therefore, I can see no way that the supreme court can hold that it is constitutional for them to ban gays from their ranks. The Boy Scouts hurt themselves when they decided to support this opinion and it will hurt them long into the future if they survive that long. Since they offloaded the choice to each leader, they have not rid the issue yet. I think that they will see a huge change in membership and leadership, and do not believe that withholding the ban will prove beneficial.
I believe I am joining everyone here when I say that I am glad the scouts have reached this decision. Having said this, I will play devil’s advocate a bit.
The scouts are an American organization and SCOTUS got it right when they defended the scouts right to discriminate. It should be on the private organization to determine its own values. Just because the “tide is turning” in the country as a whole doesn’t mean organizations should be bullied into certain positions.
The scouts deserve to make their own path, and if they choose to follow that of society, great, and if they do not, then that is alright as well.
I believe that discrimination of any kind is wrong. In this article it talks about how the Boy Scouts was allowed tom make its own decision on allowing Gays to be leaders of there troops because they fell under the Supreme Court rule 5-4 in 200 that they were a private organization and were not subject to anti-discrimination laws. I find it weird that the Supreme Court would allow such ban to happen. Yes, I understand that it is a private organization, however in out book Color of Justice on page 219 it states that the Supreme Court “has ruled that the decision to prosecute may not be deliberately based upon an unjustifiable standard such as race, religion, or based upon arbitrary decisions.” They may not be prosecuting but by banning them they are basing there decision for it on an arbitrary decision. I feel it is wrong especially in this case because you are banning gay males from being scout leaders from being able to lead children. I could see where we would not allow pedophiles around them for safety reasons, but we are talking about people who have there own sexual preference towards other adults not children. I feel this case went to the Supreme Court only because of the issue of discrimination on a significant class of people. I feel that it is important that this is reviewed and the ban is dropped because these boys are being taught at a young age that discrimination is okay.
I agree Brielle Bernardy. Discrimination is not a good thing to have in our society. It brings suicide, anger, depression and many other things that can harm human beings. Being gay or lesbian does not show the quality of a leader. Instead, what you do is what others see as a leader. So i don’t see how religion plays its role in leadership. If the boy scouts is a religious organization and has to practice religious rules then it’s okay to let go of people with such qualities of gay.
The boy scouts of America has made a wonderful decsion, deciding to lift the ban on gay membership. Discrimination of any kind should not be tolerated by such a well respected organization rather its a private one or not. The scouts who are already member’s should understand that acceptance of everyone no matter their gender,race or sexual orientation is something they will need to learn how to do as they mature. I understand the issue raised when dealing with religious families who don’t tolerate “same sex” relationships. But at the end of the day everyone has their own opinion on wether or not homosexuality is “right”. This ban is a huge step in moving forward, the progress of man kind can only get better from here. Discrimination can be overcame and I know this is one step closer to its extinction.
Here’s an interesting article I found regarding one Eagle’s Scout’s position on banning gays from the BSA:
http://www.hlntv.com/article/2013/01/30/boy-scouts-america-gay-policy-eagle-scout-return-awards
Common sense would tell us that the likelyhood of anything sexual happening would increase when someone is attracted to a particular sex. Just like when heterosexual males are coaching volleyball teams, homosexual men being leaders of scouts just increases the possibilities. Not that it WILL happen, but that it is more likely to happen. Also being open about it will help. To elaborate, the parents have to know the leader and be engaged in the scouts. It is a simple deterrence to just mention that any position of power cannot result in any sexual acts. Minnesota statute 609.352 states that the legal age of consent is 16 unless in a position of power (then it is 18). In a nutshell, anytime someone is in a position of power and is attracted to the sex of those they have power over, the chances of sexual acts increase. Just look at Jerry sandusky, Daniel Mcfalls, Joseph Birmingham, or Bill clinton-things happen when attraction is towards those who are governed.
I do not think that someone’s sexuality should define them as a person. Just because someone is gay, does not mean that they are less of a person. If they can be a good role model and a great leader for these young boys, then why does it matter that they are attracted to the same sex? It should not matter who the person is; white, black, gay, straight, purple, blue, christian or not, as long as they are great human beings, then who cares? I think that discrimination is so alive and well in our country. It is 2013, shouldn’t we be accepting everyone by now? You look at what blacks went through in the 50’s and 60’s during the civil rights movement. I believe that is what people who are gay are going through right now as well. While yes, the boy scouts have the right to do what they want, it is not right, especially this day in age to be so discriminatory towards those you may consider less of a person.