Earlier this month, the California Assembly Judiciary Committee, on a bi-partisan vote, defeated a resolution honoring the Boy Scouts of America on their 100th anniversary. The reason: the Boy Scouts' perpetual discrimination against participants and troop leaders who aren't heterosexual. Equality California testified at the hearing and submitted a letter in opposition to this resolution .
The bill's proponents knew that honoring the Boy Scouts in spite of their policy of discrimination would face opposition. Assemblymember Curt Hagman, the Diamond Bar Republican who authored the resolution, couldn't even bring himself to say why the bill didn't pass. He simply slammed the refusal of other committee members to pass the bill as "partisanship." But committee chair Mike Feuer and the other committee members who voted down the resolution were very clear that their decision was about equality and fairness towards LGBT people, who are protected under California's laws.
,Almost 3 million young men and boys participate in the Boy Scouts. Many of them are not heterosexual. Some are too young still to be aware of their sexual orientation. Those who may come out of the closet later in life are being taught by the organization to feel shame and those who are straight are learning that it is okay to discriminate.
Our youth, regardless of their sexual orientation, need to see positive images of LGBT people. They need to learn that LGBT people deserve, just like anyone else, to live lives free of prejudice, harassment and hate crimes. We need to help them grow up seeing that diversity makes our state stronger. Our youth need these lessons to be age-appropriate, and they need them when they are still young and forming their understanding of the world.
Hagman pointed out that the Boy Scouts are exemplary citizens who benefit society by delivering food to the needy, keeping the environment clean and performing community service. These are great actions indeed. But what does it mean when we tell LGBT youth that they do not deserve to be a part of an organization performing these services? It's as if we are telling them they are not a part of the community. This is a message we should never send to any of our young people, regardless of who they are. We should never tell our youth that they cannot and should not be a part of efforts to make society stronger. That is why we supported a resolution that very day honoring the Girl Scouts. Unlike the Boy Scouts, the Girl Scouts don't discriminate.
We've made some great progress in supporting LGBT youth here in California. We've passed bills that create uniform anti-discrimination codes for schools and created a day of recognition for Harvey Milk that helps educators to talk with their students about LGBT issues. This year we are sponsoring a bill that would make it easier for youth to access mental health services. We know all too well that many of our youth give in to the pressures of discrimination and take their own lives. We have to create a climate in which all youth can grow up safe and be who they are. All youth have a lot to contribute.
Equality California applauds Assemblymember Feuer for leading the committee in rejecting this resolution. We need to move forward together as one community, without leaving anyone behind.
Follow Geoff Kors on Twitter: www.twitter.com/geoff4eqca
BOY SCOUTS: Group can't seem to win either way
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It sounds like most troops are 'sponsored' by Churches with a definite agenda, and BSA headquarters also seem to have some ideas that I really disagree with. I think the homophobia is at best, a blind misguided attempt to keep the boys 'safe' from predators on camping trips. At worst, simply bigotry. At any rate, it is counterproductive in the least, it only hurts the organization, and as this article says, teaches & reinforces some VERY bad lessons from a very early age. Luckily, I've never seen that here, & there are a few of the older teen boys who are 'out' and still an integral part of the troop. So I KNOW it can work and works well.
The only hint of discrimination I've encountered:
I was on 1 interview 'council' to pass an older boy to (can't remember the rank name) 2nd down from Eagle. I just happened to be one of the parents near-by. One of the questions was about his reverence and faith. He was a local Hong Kong Chinese boy and said, his family were Buddhist, but he was really an atheist. After answering every other question eloquently, showing himself to be a an exemplary young citizen; The more experienced leader took issue with that and was reluctant to pass him. I flat out told her "You can't discriminate against his religious-spiritual CHOICE! I vote pass with flying colours!" He did pass. There are too many non-Christians here in our cultural mix to to get away with that. So Again, I'm glad I'm here.
I'm not sure WHY most BSA troops in the States have to be sponsored by Church groups, but I do think that that is a problem.
Fortunately, unlike the Boy Scouts, the Girl Scouts of America has always been about inclusion and does not discriminate against people based on their sexual orientation. I was a Girl Scout Leader for five years, and it's one of the finest organizations I've ever been associated with.
What are you telling us about your own internal thoughts?
But all that aside, it really is an organization that tries to spread its "Christian" message through the illusion of respect of Native traditions. That in and of itself should annoy more people. It's not about honoring or atonement for the cultures this country has exterminated, but rather appropriating them to spread their brand of faith.
As for the kids not realizing that the Oath is religious, you pledge to do your duty to "GOD" and your country. The Boy Scouts are not discrete about their support for the religious community. They are a Christian-based organization that is still welcome to non-Christians. After all most troops are based out of churches.
And your assumption that respect for Indian traditions is a ploy, is just dead wrong. Scouts are taught to respect nature and most notably to "leave no trace" when camping. Seems like they are promoting a low carbon footprint that global warming alarmists should love.
My Cub Scouts do 1 BIG service project every month, not once a year. I and the other leaders feel that that is one of the best things the program has to offer, so we emphasize that.
But as I said above, if troops in the States are sponsored, dominated by, a Church with an agenda, they may not have the leeway we have. I'm sure it is a whole different experience.
Have to agree with the Quasi-Native American stuff. Most of it feels very corny and inappropriate, even insulting somehow.