Boy Scouts Reaffirm Gay Ban After 2-Year Review
- Posted on July 17, 2012 at 4:21pm by
Jason Howerton
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(AP Photo/The Enterprise-Journal, Philip Hall)
NEW YORK (AP) — After a confidential two-year review, the Boy Scouts of America on Tuesday emphatically reaffirmed its policy of excluding gays, ruling out any changes despite relentless protest campaigns by some critics.
An 11-member special committee, formed discreetly by top Scout leaders in 2010, “came to the conclusion that this policy is absolutely the best policy for the Boy Scouts,” the organization’ national spokesman, Deron Smith, told The Associated Press.
Smith said the committee, comprised of professional scout executives and adult volunteers, was unanimous in its conclusion – preserving a long-standing policy that was upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2000 and has remained controversial ever since.
As a result of the committee’s decision, the Scouts’ national executive board will take no further action on a recently submitted resolution asking for reconsideration of the membership policy.
Boy Scouts of America Chief Executive Bob Mazzuca (Source: scouting.org)
The Scouts’ chief executive, Bob Mazzuca, contended that most Scout families support the policy, which applies to both leaders and Scouts.
“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,” Mazzuca said. “We fully understand that no single policy will accommodate the many diverse views among our membership or society.”
The president of the largest U.S. gay-rights group, Chad Griffin of the Human Rights Campaign, depicted the Scouts’ decision as “a missed opportunity of colossal proportions.”
“With the country moving toward inclusion, the leaders of the Boy Scouts of America have instead sent a message to young people that only some of them are valued,” he said. “They’ve chosen to teach division and intolerance.”
The Scouts did not identify the members of the special committee that studied the issue, but said in a statement that they represented “a diversity of perspectives and opinions.”
“The review included forthright and candid conversation and extensive research and evaluations – both from within Scouting and from outside of the organization,” the statement said.
The announcement suggests that hurdles may be high for a couple of members of the national executive board – Ernst & Young CEO James Turley and AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson – who have recently indicated they would try to work from within to change the policy. Both of their companies have been commended by gay-rights groups for gay-friendly employment policies.
Stephenson is on track to become president of the Scouts’ national board in 2014, and will likely face continued pressure from gay-rights groups to try to end the exclusion policy. Asked for comment on Tuesday about the Scouts’ decision to keep the policy, AT&T did not refer to Stephenson’s situation specifically.
“We don’t agree with every policy of every organization we support, nor would we expect them to agree with us on everything,” the company said. “Our belief is that change at any organization must come from within to be successful and sustainable.”
A statement from the executive committee of the Scouts’ national executive board alluded to the Turley-Stephenson developments.
“Scouting believes that good people can personally disagree on this topic and still work together to achieve the life-changing benefits to youth through Scouting,” the statement said. “While not all board members may personally agree with this policy, and may choose a different direction for their own organizations, BSA leadership agrees this is the best policy for the organization.”
Since 2000, the Boy Scouts have been targeted with numerous protest campaigns and run afoul of some local nondiscrimination laws because of the membership policy.
One ongoing protest campaign involves Jennifer Tyrrell, the Ohio mother of a 7-year-old Cub Scout who was ousted as a Scout den mother because she is lesbian.
Change.org, an online forum supporting activist causes, says more than 300,000 people have signed its petition urging the Scouts to reinstate Tyrrell and abandon the exclusion policy. The petition is to be delivered to the Scouts’ national headquarters in Irving, Texas, on Wednesday.
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Comments (135)
justangry
Posted on July 17, 2012 at 4:55pmWhy does it matter when they’re a bunch of prepubescent boys in the first place? The only thing they need to know about their tallywhackers at this point is how to write their names in the snow.
Report Post »MeteoricLimbo
Posted on July 17, 2012 at 4:58pmWhat a fool….God bless you
Report Post »Therightsofbilly
Posted on July 17, 2012 at 5:01pmReally???????
Report Post »turkey13
Posted on July 17, 2012 at 5:19pmMakes me wonder if Turley and AT&T ceo Randell Stephenson aren’t Q_ueers. I was a Boy Scout leader when my 3 sons were in scouting. I now have to worry about my 4 grand sons. I had to supervise the Cub Scouts while they took their showers at Slippery Falls camp and Ft. Watachi camp. When about 30 little boys are running around buck necked it would be perfect place for a Q_ueer or a Phediphile to check out boys equipment. I think I was chosen for this detail all the time because I had 3 sons. Two other dads that helped me had boys there also.
Report Post »jblaze
Posted on July 17, 2012 at 5:20pmSomeone finally with some good sense! Way to go Boy Scouts you haven’t sold your soul.
Report Post »RJJinGadsden
Posted on July 17, 2012 at 5:29pmCan’t see beyond the tip of your nose, can you? The entire reason gay leadership was banned was when these homosexual leaders were attacking the boys during outings. The homosexual pedophiles know where to hide in plane sight to gain access to their prey. Once these attacks were started it grew exponentially to the point that The Boy Scouts had to do something. They were almost sued out of existence in the ’80s. Knowing that they cannot root out all gays who will hide amongst them, they had to develop rules for the leadership when present with a single scout for even a brief time. All building doors must open out. They briefly grandfathered existing cabins and buildings, but those are eventually being converted now. All major camp sites with structures with bunks can now only be what they call Adirondacks. These are relatively small, usually with two double bunk beds one on each side. The front has a rather large opening and can only be closed with a single canvas curtain. All backpacks, and bags are to be stored under the bunks or in the space in the front. There cannot be any obstacles in front of the opening that will slow or stop a boy from escaping.
Report Post »ENCINOM will undoubtedly call this homophobia, but it all is designed for the safety of the scouts. A ten minute attack will scar a scout for a lifetime.
IsThereADifference
Posted on July 17, 2012 at 5:38pmI was in the Boy Scouts. I am so happy they made the right decision. I was ready to right them off completely.
I think all the gay men need to get together and create an organization for little boys who are gay. Then the gay men can take your little gay kids out and show them what camping is all about. I’m certain they would learn many life lessons.
Report Post »RJJinGadsden
Posted on July 17, 2012 at 5:42pmSo far this gay ban has greatly reduced the attacks. Not all though because there are some really slick criminal homosexual pedophiles out there.
Report Post »I’ve said it before and will say it again. The Boy Scouts of America handled this problem far better than the Catholic Church did.
Ben__Franklin
Posted on July 17, 2012 at 5:47pm“Why does it matter when they’re a bunch of prepubescent boys in the first place?”
“Boy” Scouts JustAngry, know what you are talking about before engaging the flapper. Boy Scouts are aged 11 to 18. Cub Scouts under 11. I do not believe high school aged boys are prepubescent.
Report Post »turkey13
Posted on July 17, 2012 at 5:54pm@Shagstar That is a great idea- let Ernst & Young CEO James Turley and AT&T CEO Randell; Stephenson get together and sponsor a all Q_ueer Boy Scout troop. You could call it QBS for it’s name. Make it a requirement that all the leaders be Q_ueer or a phedophil. All parents that want their sons to be a F_ag could send them there as soon as school is out. This way they couls have the most experienced teachers.
Report Post »justangry
Posted on July 17, 2012 at 5:54pmOh come on I didn’t mean it that way. I just think it‘s best to preserve a child’s innocence as long as possible. I‘m all for a child’s safety, as RJJ points out and think pedofiles are the most vile creatures on earth. As a parent, I wouldn’t allow my child to be without my supervision with strange adults in the first place.
Report Post »RJJinGadsden
Posted on July 17, 2012 at 6:03pmJUSTANGRY, I hear you on that last comment. Having worked in law enforcement and having seen the things that I have, it scared the crap out of me to see my son get out of my sight during an outing. I really agree with your parenting ideals.
Report Post »DrunkGOP_Hack
Posted on July 17, 2012 at 6:05pmS/B JustStupid
Report Post »AvengerK
Posted on July 17, 2012 at 6:37pmlet me guess…Dan Savage and his “it gets better” extortion racket will now target something as benign and innocent as the boy scouts to push his twisted idea of “normal” onto society.
Report Post »RJJinGadsden
Posted on July 17, 2012 at 7:20pmAVENGERK, There just ain’t nothing normal about that Savage freak. I’m sure he has raked the Scouts over the coals a number of times.
Report Post »hallkbrdz
Posted on July 17, 2012 at 8:52pmGood for the Boy Scouts of America! Don’t ever give in to this small minority group – keep it safe for our young men. If they want their own scouting organization for their types – they are free to start one.
Report Post »stumpy68
Posted on July 17, 2012 at 10:13pmIf you have kids 9-11 y/o you’d better check with them
Report Post »their school has most likely already
taught them more about sex than you know.
chips1
Posted on July 17, 2012 at 4:53pmFinally the expression, “It’s for the children”, means something and it came from an American institution.
Report Post »shagstar
Posted on July 17, 2012 at 5:26pmhow come they don’t start their own prima donna gay scout troop?
Report Post »Ben__Franklin
Posted on July 17, 2012 at 5:54pmThey do not start their own organization because they have to leach off of others to survive. They also cannot force acceptance of their sexual orientation on others if they are an all gay group. Besides think of the membership of a group called the Gay-Scouts-of-America. Head Quarters – San Fran, CA. Heeeyyy!
Report Post »The_Almighty_Creestof
Posted on July 17, 2012 at 11:42pmToo bad the Boyscouts is not a city or state…I’d move.
Report Post »KenInIL
Posted on July 18, 2012 at 2:04amBSA has had the policy of “Don’t ask, don’t tell” for years. Having been in boy scouts for over 20 years I have know both gay leaders and gay scouts. But, I didn’t find out about the scouts until after they “graduated”, and the leaders until later also. BSA attempts to remain asexual, unlike Girl scouts, there is no sex ed. anywhere period! Anyone talking or acting about gay whatever is out the door if they persist.
BSA has a strong adult 2 deep leadership policy to eliminate even the nuance of pedophilia They require adults and boys to be trained to be aware of pedophilia.
Report Post »Ten31
Posted on July 17, 2012 at 4:52pmThanks BSA National.
Scouting is about camping, hiking, fishing, shooting, swimming, etc. Scouting is about promoting strong moral and religious values. Scouting is not about being gay or straight but that is what the gay apologists are trying to make it about. I’ve been involved in Scouting as an adult volunteer for many years. It is not the role of any adult Scouting volunteer to have “the talk” with any youth involved in Scouting. Whether “the talk” is about how conception is achieved or what EXACTLY it means to be homosexual. It is not part of the Scout program, does not need to be a part of the Scout program and should be left to parents to deal with as they see fit.
If a corporation wants to support the homosexual agenda in its workforce, that is their own business but it isn‘t and shouldn’t be part of an agenda in a youth program like the Boy Scouts.
Report Post »TAXEVERYONE
Posted on July 17, 2012 at 4:59pmI agree, well done BSA.
Report Post »ColdDeadHands
Posted on July 17, 2012 at 6:16pmWell said! Some of my best memories are rooted in the hiking and camping I did as a scout!
Report Post »Really glad we didn’t have the distraction of such nonsense back then, we were too busy having fun and making Eagle scout!
John655
Posted on July 17, 2012 at 7:38pmWell said, while some homosexuals may be born that way, I believe a lot are made that way by predators. And if you are seeing this, then someone at the Blaze is sleeping because they have been blocking my posts as of lately. Why? I don’t know.
Report Post »I Aint PC
Posted on July 17, 2012 at 4:49pmJust because the name of the organization is Boy Scouts, does not mean it is for scouting boys.
I am an Eagle Scout and am currently involved in the Cub Scouts with my sons. The Boy Scouts of America is private organization that can set and create its own rules for membership. If there are those who do not agree with the rules of Scouting, make your own organization for gay scouts. You can call it “Starfish Troopers” or “Rainbow Buddies” or what ever you want.
Just because someone does not agree with your lifestyle, does not mean you can cry to the courts to ram it down their throats or bend over and take it. What you do in your bedroom is your business, what I do in my bedroom is mine.
Report Post »blarman
Posted on July 17, 2012 at 5:02pmWell said. The problem is that if they did that, noone would join!
Report Post »Wolfgang the Gray
Posted on July 17, 2012 at 5:41pmAgree 100%. I was in scouting as were my sons and I am glad that they are keeping their values pure. If gay youth want to setup their own organization, I have no problem with that, but the Boy Scouts of America has the right to uphold to the values they hold dear.
Report Post »sooner12
Posted on July 17, 2012 at 4:48pmThis REAFFIRMATION should have taken ONLY 60 seconds.
Report Post »whatthecrazy
Posted on July 17, 2012 at 4:48pmThis was the only answer unless they would rather have no boy scouts at all.Get over it Gay and Lesbian community and start your own club and by all means exclude all straight people if you wish,you will get no argument from us.
Report Post »Smokey_Bojangles
Posted on July 17, 2012 at 5:06pmThe Butt Pirates? Have to earn a Church Vandalism Merit Badge and First Aid for Carpet Burns on the face?
Report Post »On my lack of honor, I will do my best
To pack some doodie,to color coordinate my uniform and to obey when I am the Slave;
To protest heterosexuals at all times;
To keep myself physically aroused, mentally perverted and morally bankrupt.
Pounding_hammer
Posted on July 17, 2012 at 5:45pmBut they’re taking away the easy access to all the straight boys for the homosexuals to violate.
Oh, and on a side note, if you’re a Catholic priest who likes to molest boys, that makes you homosexual.
So the conclusion is, Catholic priest-hood is/has been infiltrated with homosexuals, and their main goal is the destruction of young lives.
Report Post »Sounds like the Boy Scouts saw what the Catholics got going on, and said No Thank You!
Smokey_Bojangles
Posted on July 17, 2012 at 6:43pmWhat amazes me…or maybe not Hammer,is the lefties use the defense that child molestation is about power whereas gay attraction is about..well..attraction.Back in the olden days when computers were easier to hack and attack,I used to go into pedo chat groups and redistribute mayhem.All them folks talked about were fantasies of seduction.Not rape. So If a Man Molests a Boy he is a HOMOSEXUAL! If he molests a girl he is a HETEROSEXUAL. Simple to anyone but a lefty.
Report Post »MeteoricLimbo
Posted on July 17, 2012 at 4:47pmYes! I made Eagle and I sure didn’t want a name change to the Blue-boy Scouts of America
Report Post »RJJinGadsden
Posted on July 17, 2012 at 5:31pmCongrats for that accomplishment. My son made Eagle about 8 years ago.
Report Post »MeteoricLimbo
Posted on July 17, 2012 at 5:41pmThank You RJJinGadsden and please give my best to your son.
Report Post »Be Prepared, and do a good turn daily.
RJJinGadsden
Posted on July 17, 2012 at 6:07pmMETEORICLIMBO, Will do. Right now I don’t get to see him as much. He has a full time job where they do keep his hours flexible while he is in college working on a degree in electrical engineering.
Report Post »One other thing, I always find your posts intriguing and and very sensible. Wish that would rub off on a few others here.
Smokey_Bojangles
Posted on July 17, 2012 at 4:46pmGuess the gay fellas will just have to stick to coaching for recruitment.I would hate to see the Poop Packing and Nude Group Shower Merit badges required to be an Eagle Scout.Now if we could do something about The Lesbian/Baby Killer Girl Scouts.
Report Post »lylejk
Posted on July 17, 2012 at 4:44pmGood for them. When I was in the Boy Scouts, it was all about God and country. Sad that the perverted powers that be want to not just push sex, but same sex perversion onto the scouts. Glad they have taken the right stand. :)
Report Post »rangerp
Posted on July 17, 2012 at 4:49pmI will be donating money to the boy scouts again this year. Wish the girl scouts would follow suit, and have the character that the boy scouts have
Report Post »Azzman
Posted on July 17, 2012 at 6:41pmThe American Heritage Girls are a great alternative to the lez loving baby killing Girl Scouts.
Report Post »lembrandt
Posted on July 17, 2012 at 4:43pmI applaud the BSA for this decision. Unfortunately, this will only make them even more of a target to the left than they already are.
I’ll take bets starting now: If Obama gets reelected (and I think he will) by the time his next four years are over, the BSA will either be banned or will have been sued out of existence by the “Justice Department”, or they will have the IRS go after them – or something. They cannot be allowed to survive in a Socialist Tyranny.
Just remember you heard it here first, sorry to say…
Report Post »InVinoVeritas
Posted on July 17, 2012 at 6:42pmYou are spot on about Obama. Most of the California cities have banned the Boy Scouts from using public land for camping and events. I’ll be glad when the entire sick state goes bankrupt. Californication indeed.
Report Post »KangarooJack
Posted on July 17, 2012 at 4:40pmGreat Job sticking to your PRINCIPLES BSA!!!!
Report Post »piper60
Posted on July 17, 2012 at 4:39pmGlad to see the Boy Scouts standing up to the PC weenies(pun intended). We need more organizations that stand for traditional morals.
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on July 17, 2012 at 4:39pmExcellent; stand strong in the fury to come from Obama.
Report Post »Frodo RinosBane
Posted on July 17, 2012 at 4:36pmGood job, BSA. It‘s good to see that you’re staying strong in the face of withering public (and corporate) attacks. It just doesn’t make sense to open the door to that. I would feel the same way about a heterosexual becoming a girl scout leader. Same issue – the man would never do anything, but the appearance of impropriety is enough to make sure it doesn’t ever happen.
Report Post »Dde13
Posted on July 17, 2012 at 4:36pmThank GOD….we don’t need is men who like men to be in charge of boys…
Report Post »randy
Posted on July 17, 2012 at 4:36pmGood for you Boy Scouts!
Report Post »Now how about selling cookies?
PeteOH
Posted on July 17, 2012 at 4:35pmAMEN!!!! My son may now remain a Scout… We were actually waiting for this to decide on his future in scouting. Our daughter won’t be joining the Girl Scouts because of their support for abortion groups and gay groups… Sad. However, God Bless the Boy Scouts!!!!! Somehow, the Libs will spin this into an attack on gays, when really it’s simply a preservation of a pro God, pro child and pro America “private” organization. The Scouts have done what schools and the government have failed to do… The Scouts have said “hands off our children, their minds and souls” BRAVO!!!
Report Post »Whiteinfidel
Posted on July 17, 2012 at 4:43pmYour last sentence gave me chills and made me yell “hell yeah!” at the same time..stay away from our children. Well said.
Report Post »EdtheK
Posted on July 17, 2012 at 5:13pmIf your Daughter is old enough, have her join a Venture Crew, and you sign up to be a Crew Adviser. BSA Venture Crews are Co-Ed and quite a few are ran by the Young Women. It leaves intact all the values, beliefs, duty to God, but focus more on High Adventure activities to get our Youth off their duffs and into the outdoors in this social media, facebooking, computer gaming age. It leaves all the Girl Scouts Liberal claptrap behind, and sticks to true scouting principles.
Report Post »PeteOH
Posted on July 17, 2012 at 7:52pmThanks EDTHEK….
Report Post »GhostOfJefferson
Posted on July 17, 2012 at 4:35pmI‘m waiting for all the examples of tolerance from the Left that they’re screaming the Boy Scouts should be “teaching now” to appear. I suspect instead well get more bile, hate and Elton John perverted smears. Toleration? It’s a private organization, they can make their own rules. Don’t like it? Don’t join them.
Report Post »normbal
Posted on July 17, 2012 at 4:32pmRight on. It’s their right. Homos will just have to prey and recruit elsewhere.
Report Post »Magyar
Posted on July 17, 2012 at 4:33pmWell said, my man. You’re totally right— Glad they stuck to their guns!!!!
Report Post »jthirteen
Posted on July 17, 2012 at 4:31pmGlad to see some hope for the future still remains. But, I hated scouting growing up. Was a little sad they didn’t open it up to gays. Then my church would pull out of the scouting program and my sons wouldn’t feel pressure to participate. Too many jerk leaders when I was growing up.
Report Post »cookcountypatriot
Posted on July 17, 2012 at 4:31pmegggselent…………
Report Post »bikerr
Posted on July 17, 2012 at 4:27pmI like their decision. What Boy scout needs another Boy Scout after them for their looks!
Report Post »woodyee
Posted on July 17, 2012 at 4:26pmIn deference to POS Obammy and Jackass Jackson, I say
“Yassuh!” & “Hallelujah!”
Report Post »Bunk
Posted on July 17, 2012 at 4:25pmMy faith in the Boy Scouts has been reaffirmed as well. I spent years in the Boy Scouts as a scout and as a scout leader. I am pleased they are sticking to their moral compass.
Report Post »RightUnite
Posted on July 17, 2012 at 4:25pmGood! Now, get ready for the backlash from the dumb freaks from the left.
Report Post »woodyb
Posted on July 17, 2012 at 4:39pmYes, they will probably start a petition to allow that Sandusky guy to serve as scoutmaster in the state prison!!!!!!!!!!!!
Report Post »Too_Far_Gone
Posted on July 17, 2012 at 4:42pmSkrew the left ..
Way to go Boy Scouts !!
Report Post »Hephzibah
Posted on July 18, 2012 at 2:01amMy homosexual acquaintances are squealing like stuck pigs.
Report Post »