Pgh Lesbian Correspondents

The Boy Scouts of America are a real piece of work. While all eyes in America are glued to the largest manhunt in recent history to protect our nation from further acts of terror – they decide to slip out the fact that they are going to “let” LGBTQ boys remain in the Scouts, but MAINTAIN the ban on adults.  (Also, athiests still not welcome.)

From GLAAD:

NEW YORK, April 19, 2013 – GLAAD, the nation’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) media advocacy and anti-defamation organization, today responded to the Boy Scouts of America’s (BSA) proposal to maintain its ban on gay and lesbian parents. The proposed language reads in part: “[…] the Boy Scouts of America will maintain the current membership policy for all adult leaders of the Boy Scouts of America […].”

“Yet again, the Boy Scouts of America has failed its members, corporate sponsors, donors and the millions of Americans who agree that the time to end discrimination in Scouting is now,” said Rich Ferraro, Vice President of Communications at GLAAD. “By refusing to consider an end to its ban on gay and lesbian parents, the Boy Scouts have missed an opportunity to exercise leadership and usher the organization back to relevancy. We’re living in a culture where, until every young person and parent have the same opportunity to serve, the Boy Scouts will continue to see a decline in both membership and donations.”

Today, the BSA released proposed language for a revised Membership Standards Resolution, which, if approved, would open Scouting to gay youth but would maintain the organization’s ban on gay and lesbian parents. A body of 1,400 members will vote on whether or not to adopt the policy next month. The Resolution reads in part:

WHEREAS, the Boy Scouts of America will maintain the current membership policy for all adult leaders of the Boy Scouts of America, and

Youth membership in the Boy Scouts of America is open to all youth who meet the specific membership requirements to join the Cub Scout, Boy Scout, Varsity Scout, Sea Scout, and Venturing programs. Membership in any program of the Boy Scouts of America requires the youth member to (a) subscribe to and abide by the values expressed in the Scout Oath and Scout Law, (b) subscribe to and abide by the precepts of the Declaration of Religious Principle (duty to God), and (c) demonstrate behavior that exemplifies the highest level of good conduct and respect for others and is consistent at all times with the values expressed in the Scout Oath and Scout Law. No youth may be denied membership in the Boy Scouts of America on the basis of sexual orientation or preference alone.

Full resolution language is available here.

Contributing blogger and friend to Pittsburgh Jen Tyrrell sent me this statement – she’s a lesbian flying on her own dime, using her own paid time off to support a GLAAD event on the West Coast – before her flight took-off:

“I am appalled at the Boys Scouts’ announcement,” said Ohio mom Jennifer Tyrrell, who was ousted as leader of her son’s Cub Scouts pack in April 2012 because she’s gay.  “The fact that they are still telling children their parents aren’t good enough is heartbreaking to me. How many times do families like mine have to be rejected by this organization? The release of this information at the same time our fellow Americans in Boston are suffering so much is nothing short of despicable. In a time, when we as a country need to stand up and show solidarity, compassion, and love for all, the BSA is continuing to divide the country with their discriminatory policy.”

As a social worker, an LGBTQ adult, a former Girl Scout and a citizen of this nation – I AM APPALLED, TOO!

Take ACTION – Sign this petition to the Laurel Highlands Scouting Leaders which includes Southwestern PA.