Next week, as the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) considers for the first time ending discrimination of gay Scouts, Scouts for Equality (SfE) and the Inclusive Scouting Network (ISN), will host the “Equal Scouting Summit.” with support from GLAAD and the Human Rights Campaign. Being held across from the BSA National Meeting, the Summit is an opportunity for supporters from across the country to come together to discuss next steps in building the foundation of an inclusive BSA.

Speakers at the Summit will include Zach Wahls, Mark Noel, Jennifer Tyrrell, Greg Bourke, Will Oliver, Pascal Tessier, Dave Rice, and Dave Knapp whose personal experiences of the BSA’s discriminatory policies moved them to become leaders of the equal Scouting movement and led to the collection of more than 1.8 million Change.org petition signatures calling for an end to the BSA’s ban on gay members. Events during the Summit will include a welcome ceremony for Eagle Scout Dave McGrath and his son Army Specialist Joe McGrath as they ride into Texas and complete their 1,800-mile bike ride for equality and the culmination of the Voice of the Gay Scout project. Gay Scouts across the country have submitted letters of what they would say to the National Council voters if they had the opportunity and during the Summit those letters will be read out loud.

All events are OPEN to the press. Additional details will be released in the coming days.

WHAT: Equal Scouting Summit
WHEN: Wednesday, May 22nd – Friday, May 24th
WHERE: Great Wolf Lodge, 100 Great Wolf Drive, Grapevine, Texas
WHO: Scouts for Equality, Inclusive Scouting Network, GLAAD, Jennifer Tyrrell, Greg Bourke, Dave Rice, Dave Knapp, Will Oliver, Pascal Tessier, Eagle Scout Dave McGrath, Army Specialist Joe McGrath, Scouts, Scout Leaders, Parents & Supporters

Press Information: Members of the press can register to attend and submit requests for interviews at www.inclusivescouting.net/media/2013-summit-registration/

For more information go to www.scoutsforequality.com/summit

Full media advisory here

Heritage Foundation Alleges Gays in Scouts Would Lead to More ‘Boy-on-Boy Contact’ (U.S. News & World Report)

An influential conservative advocacy group in Washington said Tuesday a vote to allow homosexuals to join the Boy Scouts of America would lead to more homosexuality and sow “moral confusion.”

During a panel discussion hosted by the Heritage Foundation, experts said a “yes” vote to allow gay boy scouts – but not gay scout leaders – was a “fatal concession” for the 103-year-old organization, and they worried the policy would lead to “increased boy on boy contact” as well as a domino effect toward allowing gay leaders in the future.

Experts Warn Boy Scouts Delegates Against Being ‘Snookered and Bamboozled’ Into Gay Vote (Christian Post) – Conservative Christian Leaders including Cathy Ruse at the Family Research Council warn of a parade of horribles if the BSA’s gay ban is partially lifted for LGBT youth.

Good Boy Scouts don’t need God (Tuscon Citizen / USA Today)

US: Lawyer tweets cartoon suggesting gay scout leaders would trick boy scouts into sex – Matt Barber at Liberty Counsel tweeted a cartoon depicting gay men as pedophiles trying to trick scouts into having sex with them. More coverage here.

If there’s sufficient demand, we hope to start offering these in the Inclusive Scouting Store

KGWN –Cheyenne, WY– Scottsbluff, NE News,Weather, Sports

You can follow their journey on their Old Scout’s Promise blog or facebook page.

Most Americans support lifting ban on gay Boy Scouts –

“In the new poll, 63 percent of Americans support allowing gay scouts to join, and the public opposes the plan to continue to ban gay adults from Boy Scout leadership by a 56 to 39 percent margin. The results contrast with a USA Today/Gallup poll last year, where only 42 percent said openly gay adults should be able to serve as leaders.

University professor: Allowing gay Boy Scouts will put them ‘up for grabs’ by ‘sexual predators’ and communists – Jerry Falwell founded Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia and his son nows run it. He has said that ‘gays’ were responsible for the September 11th attacks and accused the Teletubbies for promoting the ‘gay lifestyle’. Professor Reisman responded,

“Yeah, certainly there is because when you have an enslaved population which sexual addiction and sexual pornography creates, a slave population, when you have a slave population, when you have people whose focus is by no means on anything upper air, they’ve given up their religion, you can’t have two masters, they are controlled by their sexual lust, when you have that kind of population, that kind of population will do anything to fulfill their lusts, their interests and they have no compunction about forcing other people to adhere to that.”

“The council declared its position on Tuesday, and called for a “true and authentic inclusion policy”. In doing so, the Los Angeles council joined at least two other branches in New York state, which have pushed for full inclusion of gay scouts and leaders.”

Middle TN Boy Scouts council to vote against allowing openly gay members – Making its announcement Tuesday, The Middle Tennessee Council of the Boy Scouts of America will be voting against the proposal to lift the BSA’s ban on openly gay youth membership in Scouting. The Council stated that it surveyed around 3,000 people and 66% said they were against allowing gay youth into Scouting. Also, they report that 70% of people surveyed said that a straight Scout and a gay Scout should not be allowed in a tent together.

“Sexuality’s not a part of our program,” Travis said. “The parents in Middle Tennessee have said to us, ‘Don’t bring it into Scouting.’ ”

Father And Son Bike 1,800 Miles To Protest Boy Scouts – Dave McGrath and son Joe are cycling 1,800 miles across America in support of equality for gay people. The decision to make this ride was made after the BSA announced plans to vote on a proposal to allow gay youth into Scouting, but continue to ban adults aged 18 and over in all forms. Dave McGrath has a twin brother who is gay as well as two gay sons he is riding for. Joes is riding for his family, but says he is also riding for the men and women he served with who were affected by the ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ policy of the military. Dave McGrath has vowed, “to be silent no more”.

Follow their story daily at Old Scouts Promise.

The Inclusive Scouting Network is aware of this issue, and is launching a project called “The Voice of the Gay Scout”. We’re accepting letters, about one to three paragraphs in length, from gay scouts who cannot otherwise share their opinion on this policy without facing expulsion from the program. These letters will then be read by Scout allies, in uniform, to the press to ensure your voice is heard before the National Council votes in May. Share how this policy has affected you, your friends, and your values. This is your chance to tell the BSA leadership to their face how you’ve felt, and what repealing the ban would mean to you.

I have talked to many gay scouts over the last few months, and heard heartbreaking stories about what this policy has done. Broken friendships, shattered confidence, being forced into a life of lies an dishonesty, and in dire cases, the taking of one’s own life. Personal stories will create more change on this issue than any advocacy or advertising ever could. Reach out to other gay scouts you know, and urge them to send us their letter.

Letters can be sent to voice@inclusivescouting.net. If you’re interested in being an ally and reading one of the letters at the Equal Scouting Summit in Dallas, May 21-24, please email us as well! Thank you all for your hard work and dedication, please keep up the pressure, we’re just weeks away from victory!

Follow their daily updates and support their journey at Old Scouts Promise.

Rick Perry: Boy Scouts Must Resist ‘Flavor Of The Month’ Pro-Gay Views – Governor Rick Perry continues to speak out against LGBT equality in the Boy Scouts. In this article he equates the shift in public sentiment to pro gay as “pop culture” and “flavor of the month” type of thinking. He also goes further to compare the fight for gay people’s rights as being similar to the fight to end slavery, but ends up getting some key facts straight.

“The fact is, this is a private organization. Their values and principles have worked for a century now, and for pop culture to come in and try to tear that up because it just happens to be the flavor of the month, so to speak, and to tear apart one of the great organizations that have served millions of young men … that is just not appropriate,” Perry said during a discussion on the Family Research Council’s “Stand With Scouts Sunday”

Religion Beyond the Right – Ever since the announcement was made by the BSA that it will be voting on a proposal to lift the gay ban on youth within the organization, religions across the spectrum have spoken out. From the far right who denounce any change in current policies, to the middle and one left to more liberal religions who want the entire ban lifted, it seems that one issue has been forgotten. According to BSA bylaws, every religions teachings are to be treated equally. However, to date, the BSA’s actions have not adhered to its own policy. With the vote coming it would be wise for the BSA to listen to each religions teachings and take them into consideration for the vote.

Boy Scout Policy on Gays Doesn’t Go Far Enough, Says L.A. Group – The Western Los Angeles County Council of the BSA announced that it believes the proposed amendment to allow only gay youth should be amended to include gay leaders, volunteers and staff as well. This council believes that the proposal just does not go far enough in the fight for equality of LGBT people.

Rick Perry: ‘Gay’ Boy Scouts? ‘Not on my watch’ – Rick Perry, Governor of Texas, has joined forces with the Family Research Council to try and influence the proposal to allow gay youth to be members, to be voted down. Perry also stated that he stands by, and hopes the American people will say, “Not on My Watch”, to the proposal.

Rep. Steve Palazzo Claims Boy Scouts are ‘Bullied, Extorted’ for Banning Gays (Video) – Republican Steve Palazzo also joined other supporters Sunday with the Family Research Council’s “Stand With Scouts” webcast where he stated that he believes the Boy Scouts of America is being bullied, harassed and extorted for banning gays. Palazzo also went so far as to ask for the removal of all “agitators” from these discussions, but did not identify or explain how he thinks this would be carried out.

“The Boy Scouts are actually being bullied worse than any group or organization that has ever been bullied before,” said Rep. Palazzo. “They’ve been intimidated, extorted for corporate funds, contributions.”

“They are being harassed and, at the end of the day, they are also being ridiculed by some in the liberal media. And so if I can do anything, I’m going to lend my voice and my strength to them and tell them to stand strong [against allowing gays].”"

Veteran, son biking 1,800 miles for gay Scouts (The Salt Lake Tribune).

Eagle Scout takes 1,800-mile stand on Scouts’ policy on gays (Idaho Statesman).

Father-son duo biking in support of gays in Scouts stop in Orem (Provo Daily Herald).

Father, son will bike from Idaho to Texas to support admitting gays into BSA (Fox News 13, Salt Lake City).

Scouts chart a new course – Corvallis, Oregon Troop 1 is steeped in tradition and is the oldest troop in Oregon. The troop is struggling to deal with the current controversy within Scouts that bans gays. As one member says,

“They’re just the same as us,” added Nate Olsen, 13. “They’re just guys.”

The Mormon Church’s support for gay boy scouts is no surprise at all – A look inside the policies and practices of the Mormon church show that the BSA’s proposal to allow the participation of openly gay youth is actually not going to be any change to their current policies at all. The Mormon church already allows gay adults and youth to obtain full membership within the church as long as they remain completely celibate. They also assign members to be troop leaders, whether they have any interest in Scouting or not, which allows them to prevent any gay adult from ever becoming a Scout Troop leader.

Boy Scouts Demand Anti-Gay Scouting Group Change Logo – John Stemberger, an attorney and the founder of OnMyHonor.net, was recently called out by the BSA for illegally using a Scouting logo as their own and making a profit from selling the patch themselves. Stromberger argued that his organization is a part of the BSA and is therefore not infringing on any copyright patents, but the BSA refused and re-stated that the BSA considers OnMyHonor.net to be an outside (third party) organization. After trying to defend its position as a part of the BSA program, an agreement was reached that OnMyHonor.net would no longer use BSA logos and in its newsletter stated the following:

“NOTE: We have a new logo because our efforts are making a real difference! We received a call from the BSA’s General Counsel telling us that we were a third party violating their copyright by utilizing the BSA “Timeless Values” logo. We responded that we are not a third “outside” party, we are actual members of the BSA simply using a BSA logo to support the policies of the BSA! Although we believed we were not violating any copyright laws, we agreed to change the logo out of respect for the organization. To celebrate the change we are making this special gift patch available. Wear it proudly!

10 Offensive Arguments Against Allowing Gay Boy Scouts – OnMyHonor’s founder, John Stromberger, released an article containing an offensive list of statements aimed at continuing the current anti-gay discriminatory policies being enforced by the BSA at a national level. The list Stromberger released can be viewed via the link above to the article.

Boy Scouts holding Scout-O-Rama fundraiser this weekend – Today in Sandy, Utah the Boy Scouts Great Lakes Council is holding their annual Scout-O-Rama fundraiser. The group lost sponsorship from national chain, Chipotle, who cited differences in discrimination policies as their reason. The withdrawal was specifically due to the BSA’s current discriminatory policies banning gay youth and leaders from participating in Scouting. The Great Lakes Council states that it has had no trouble finding alternate sponsors to fill in the gap and are going forward as planned. The BSA is voting on a new proposal this month that, if passed, would allow gay youth up through 17 years of age to participate in Scouting, but would continue to ban all LGBT people ages 18 and older from any level of participation.

Scouting for justice: Father, son make stop at City Hall for LGBT rights – Father and son team, Dave and Joe McGrath, began the first leg of their journey to fight for equal rights in the LGBT community on Friday, May 3rd. On that first leg they stopped at the Pocatello City Hall to leave a note of protest (a musical note) against Idaho’s failure to pass an anti-discrimination ordinance, that if it had passed, would have provided protection for the LGBT community in many areas of their lives. The twosome (Old Scouts Promise) are riding their bikes 1,800 miles to BSA Headquarters in Irving, TX to post a letter to the headquarters door listing 95 reasons they disagree with the BSA’s current discriminatory policies against gay youth and adults.

Scouts agree to vacate Center City headquarters – In Center City, Philadelphia the Boy Scouts of America’s local chapter, the Cradle of Liberty Council, has reached a settlement with the city and agreed to vacate the premises. This settlement comes after a 5 year legal battle that began due to the BSA’s discriminatory policies against gay youth and adults. This discrimination directly violates Philadelphia’s fair-practices law and the city stated that any organization in conflict with Philly’s law is not allowed to receive benefits from them. The BSA’s local chapter has been using the building for around 84 years, rent free. The local BSA troop had tried to reverse the BSA’s national discriminatory policies at a local level, but was denied by BSA’s national headquarters.

Co-founder of Scouts for Equality to speak at Fellowship meeting –

“Leo Giannini, co-founder of Scouts for Equality, an organization fighting to end discrimination in the Boy Scouts, will speak, Sunday, May 5 at 10:15 a.m. at the Berlin Township Community Center in Beach Lake. His speech will be about taking a stand for what people believe in. Giannini lecture entitled, “Taking a stand for Boy Scout Equality” discusses why he decided to take a stand for inclusion and how it has changed the way he approaches every problem or issue he views as wrong.”

The Inclusive Scouting Network is partnering with Scouts for Equality to hold an Equal Scouting Summit in Dallas right next to the BSA’s convention. We’ll be inviting our supporters within the BSA to meet with Scouting allies like Zach Wahls and Dave Rice, religious leaders from denominations that believe that discrimination is wrong, and many Scouts and Scouters who have been personally affected by the BSA’s discrimination. We will also be welcoming Dave and Joe McGrath as they complete their cross-country bike ride for inclusive scouting.

But we really need your help.

Specifically, we need your financial support right now more than ever. We have to cover the cost of sending representatives to the BSA’s convention and hosting events for the BSA’s voting members in addition to meeting record demand for our Inclusive Scouting Award patches and other materials. We’re 100% volunteer-run, so every dollar you can chip in goes directly towards getting our supporters and materials into the field.

Please contribute whatever you can today to our efforts. We can win this vote later this month and improve the environment for LGBT youth in Scouting, but not without your help.

Thanks!

P.S. Your donations today will not only support our efforts at the BSA’s convention this month, but will also help us field some newly created Inclusive Scouting materials in time for the summer camp season. It doesn’t take much to make a big difference – even just $20 goes a long way. So please help out as much as you can.

Letter: LDS and Scouting – The LDS Church has come out in support of the BSA’s new proposal to allow gay youth into Scouting, but to continue it’s policy banning all gay adults in any capacity. The LDS Church is trying to keep policies for everyone involved in Scouting within their own religious belief system, but would be seen as more tolerant if they allowed gay adults in Scouting.

Ousted Boy Scouts Leader Jennifer Tyrrell Joins NOH8 Campaign – Jennifer Tyrrell, a gay mom who was den mother for her son’s Scout troop, was ousted last year by the BSA for being openly gay. She has recently joined the NOH8 campaign and is seen in the article posing for NOH8 in her Scout’s uniform with the traditional duct tape across her mouth and NOH8 sign on her cheek. Tyrrell is an open opponent to the BSA’s ban on gays in Scouting and is also working to reverse Ohio’s 2004 amendment forbidding the state to recognize any marriage that is not heterosexual.

VIEW FROM AWAY: Collins’ merit badge – NBA center, Jason Collins, had become uncomfortable keeping his sexual orientation a secret and earlier this week made a public announcement that he is gay. He is now the first openly gay athlete in pro sports, a change that will hopefully lead to more players feeling comfortable coming out to the public. The Boy Scouts have offered up a feeble proposal that would allow gay youth, but continue it’s discrimination against gay leaders. As Scouting is all about families, the Scouts need to take a hint and move forward with the times allowing an all inclusive membership. Being LGBT just isn’t that big of a deal in the public’s eyes anymore.

BSA should accept gay Scouts, leaders – In a vote to come later this month the BSA has proposed to lift the ban on openly gay youth, but continue forward with it’s ban on openly gay adult leaders (anyone starting when they turn 18 years old). This proposal has people on both sides of the controversy saying that the inconsistency within the proposal is not acceptable. Some religious groups will pull their charters for troops if gay youth is allowed in Scouting and many of those in favor of inclusiveness for all feel the proposal would ultimately not be enough of a change.

Scouts’ proposal would ‘increase boy-on-boy sexual contact’ – John Stemberger, founder of OnMyHonor.net and an Eagle Scout has sent a letter to the more than 1400 members of the National Council who will be voting on the BSA’s proposed change that would allow openly gay Scouts to participate in Scouting until their 18th birthday. He believes that if the proposal is passed it would lead to unwanted activities between boys. On the other side, proponents of allowing all LGBT people to participate fully in Scouting, are not satisfied with the level of the new proposal either. This group feels that the step would fall short of what is truly needed to make an acceptable change within the Boy Scouts of America.

“Opening the Boy Scouts to boys who openly proclaim being sexually attracted to other boys and/or openly identify themselves as ‘gay’ will inevitably create an increase of boy-on-boy sexual contact,” says John Stemberger, Eagle Scout and founder of OnMyHonor.Net, in an open letter to Scout leaders.

“The proposal isn’t just insulting; it’s illogical. Under the new proposal, at the stroke of midnight on their 18th birthdays, gay Scouts like Tessier — long valued as leaders in their troops and communities — will suddenly become an intolerable threat.”

Lesbian teen from Brighton recounts firing as Boy Scouts camp counselor – Lauren Jasenak, a 19 year old counselor for the Venturing program in Michigan was fired for being a lesbian. She recalls that she had confided in a cabinmate (an administrator for the camp) that she was a lesbian and had asked that the communication be kept confidential. However, she was later called into the office of her boss, Bill Licht, who she says then questioned her over and over about her sexual orientation. She eventually admitted to being a lesbian under the pressure and was fired on the spot with no way to get home for her pet rabbit, Thumper, or herself. With help from Equality Michigan, she has filed a complaint against the camp. She has also filed a petition on Change.org to allow gay youth, leaders and employees to be allowed to remain in the Boy Scouts.

Her petition at Change.org can be found here

Fired Lesbian Boy Scout Camp Employee Petitions Boy Scouts to End Ban on Gay Youth and Adults – Last summer while working as a camp counselor at a Boy Scout Camp in Michigan, 19-year old Lauren Jasenak, was fired for being openly lesbian. This event came one day after the BSA reaffirmed their policy on banning all gay members and leaders involved in a Scouting program. She has currently drafted a petition to her local Boy Scout’s Council to vote for the change allowing both openly gay youth and adults to be allowed to belong to the Boy Scouts of America.

Her petition at Change.org can be found here

Scouts need live-and-let-live policy on gay leaders

“The Boy Scouts — apparently with conservative support — is finally and belatedly poised to adopt a nondiscrimination policy for boys. But the Scouts’ conservatives continue to resist another logical step: letting the local chartered organizations decide their own policies on Scout leaders. Some — such as United Methodist congregations — have no problem with gay den mothers, scoutmasters, etc.”

Trib Talk: Utahns react to Boy Scouts’ proposal on gay members – Paul Mero, a conservative leader in Utah stated that he believes the proposal being voted on by the BSA in May opens the door for lawsuits by adult leaders in Scouting if passed. The opening for lawsuits would be due to the inequity of adopting a policy allowing gay youth, but turning around and continuing the ban on gay adults. Kendall Wilcox, an openly gay Eagle Scout and member of The LDS Church, expressed his satisfaction with his church’s open support for the proposal and upcoming vote.

Collins case exposes U.S. Boy Scout hypocrisy – On Wednesday night, Jason Collins, the Washington Wizards center who has played in over 500 NBA games, announced to the public that he is gay. He is viewed as an exemplary role model and until then would have been accepted as a Scout leader. But, not anymore. Neither would other gay American icons like Anderson Cooper, Ellen DeGeneres or Sen. Tammy Baldwin. However, Penn State’s Jerry Sandusky would have been welcomed by the BSA before being exposed as a serial child abuser. As BSA has taken a strong stand behind its anti gay policies the world has changed around them and even with the new proposal allowing gay youth, many believe that step is simply insufficient.

Cover Letter for BSA Resolution on Adult Leadership

BSA Resolution on Adult Leadership

The relevant language from the resolution reads:

All adult applicants must possess the moral, educational, and emotional
qualities that the Boy Scouts of America deems necessary to afford positive
leadership to youth. The applicant must also be the correct age, subscribe to the
precepts of the Declaration of Religious Principle (duty to God), and abide by the
Scout Oath and the Scout Law.

That each Chartered Organization of the Boy Scouts of America shall have
the right (but not be required) to grant membership to individuals who, in the best
judgment of that Chartered Organization, demonstrate behavior that exemplifies
the highest level of good conduct and respect for others in accordance with the
mission of the BSA and is consistent with the principles and teachings of that
Chartered Organization, without regard to sexual orientation.

They have asked for help in encouraging the BSA’s National Council to allow a vote on, and then vote for the resolution. You can find your local BSA council by putting your ZIP code into BSA’s web form at BeAScout.org.

Press contacts:
Christopher Hayes (518) 466-4386
Mark Noel (603) 387-7731
Matt Comer (336) 391-9528

INCLUSIVE SCOUTING NETWORK VOICES RESERVATION AND CONCERN OVER PROPOSED GAY SCOUT POLICY

Proposed policy would maintain institutionalized discrimination, limit opportunities of openly gay Boy Scout youth

The Inclusive Scouting Network, a group of current and former members of the Boy Scouts of America founded shortly after the Supreme Court’s Boy Scouts v. Dale decision in 2000, is voicing reservation and concern over today’s proposed policy change by the Boy Scouts of America regarding gay members and leaders. The Executive Council of the Boy Scouts of America released their proposed policy today, which keeps the gay ban in place for adult leaders but would prohibit kicking out openly gay Scout youth members “on the basis of sexual orientation or preference alone” [emphasis added]. The policy must be voted on at a national meeting of more than 1,400 Scout representatives in May and would not go into effect until 2014.

“We believe the proposed policy is a small step forward, but does not go nearly far enough in addressing issues of discrimination against gay Boy Scout members and leaders,” said Christopher Hayes, one of the co-founders of The Inclusive Scouting Network. “This policy maintains institutionalized discrimination, leaves open the possibility of harassment and bullying of gay youth, and continues to send the wrong message to youth members that discrimination is acceptable.”

“Under this policy, every gay Scout will eventually be kicked out — it’s only a question of when,” said Mark Noel, another co-founder of The Inclusive Scouting Network. “Allowing a 16 year old to stay and complete his Eagle is a step forward, but why would he stay when the same policy will kick him out as soon as he turns 18? The message here is that LGBT people still aren’t welcome in the BSA and have no future in Scouting.”

The proposed policy is concerning on several levels, including:
• the limitation for Scout advancement past the age of 18,
• the continued institutional message that discrimination is acceptable,
• the implication that LGBT youth don’t know what they’re doing when they come out,
• the lack of anti-bullying and anti-harassment provisions for gay youth in chartered units with anti-gay theological positions, and
• the lack of any provision granting recourse to youth denied opportunities for membership under this proposed policy.

The Inclusive Scouting Network believes the proposed policy, though deeply flawed, is better than the current policy and therefore urges representatives to the national meeting in May to pass it. However, the organization will continue working to ensure that the Boy Scouts of America will become a safe and affirming environment for all Scouts, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity and religious belief. The only acceptable policy is a comprehensive national policy of non-discrimination that does not expire with age.

“The Boy Scouts of America’s proposed policy is a delaying tactic in dealing with important issues of inclusion and discrimination,” said ISN co-founder Matt Comer. “This issue will not go away, as indicated by the Scouts’ own surveys showing a majority of their own youth members ages 16-18 oppose the discriminatory policy.”

Over ten thousand people across the nation and the globe are speaking out against the Boy Scouts of America’s continued discriminatory practices by wearing the Network’s Inclusive Scouting Award. Introduced in 2002, the Inclusive Scouting Award is a small, multicolored patch designed to mimic other adult leader awards worn on the scout uniform and modeled after the “safe space” sticker programs used in high schools that research has shown to be very effective at improving the environment for LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) and other at-risk youth. The Inclusive Scouting Award identifies wearers as supporters of inclusive scouting and allies to Scouts and Scouters threatened with exclusion by the BSA’s discriminatory membership policies. Because the emblem has never been approved by the BSA, its motto is “You earn it by wearing it.”

The two ropes of the square knot on the Inclusive Scouting Award patch symbolize religion and sexual orientation. One rope is silver and purple – colors the BSA reserves for religious emblems. The other rope is rainbow-colored – a pattern that is representative of diversity and is used widely in LGBT communities as a symbol of pride and unity. According to reported BSA statements, the proposed change to membership policies would apply only to sexual orientation and would not change BSA’s longstanding national policy of barring all atheist, agnostic, and non-theist youth and adults from the program.

Inclusive Scouting Network
PO Box 2853
Malta, NY 12020
info@inclusivescouting.net
www.inclusivescouting.net

Press resources: http://www.inclusivescouting.net/media/

# # #

The proposal to be voted on in May therefore will not rescind the gay ban, but will merely postpone discriminatory action against LGBT youth members until they are older.

Boy Scouts of America Membership Standards Resolution

Membership Standards Study Initiative Executive Summary

This film from 2001 tells the story of Steve Cozza, Dave Rice, Tim Curran, and James Dale and is a great way to start off a discussion of the BSA’s membership policies. It runs under an hour, and won the Audience Award at Sundance for Best Documentary.

If you can host a showing with your unit, church, charter organization or elsewhere in your council before the BSA’s vote, the Inclusive Scouting Network can send you a copy of the film on DVD (courtesy of director/producer Tom Shepard and New Day Films).

Sign up via our volunteer form and select Hosting a Showing of the Documentary Film “Scout’s Honor” as one of your areas of interest:

Volunteer to Host a Free Showing Here

View the trailer for the film

View a streaming version of the entire film (available for a limited time)

Thank you for sending me the first Inclusive Scouting Award badges. My co-ed Crew, about half of whom are already Eagles, took it very seriously and put it to a vote at a Green Bar meeting. They unanimously voted to wear the square knot on their uniforms. I was impressed, but warned them to think about it because there could be serious ramifications with Council if anyone took issue with their decision. They told me they were telling me as a courtesy, but it was a fait accompli – they had already decided on their own.

When I told them how impressed I was with their bravery, especially since they personally “didn’t have a horse in this race,” they all laughed at me. It turns out I was wrong about that. They politely explained that two of our scouts are gay. I had no idea, but I guess that’s how it should be. Someone’s sexual orientation doesn’t matter a whit in our program. The whole Crew was standing up as a matter of brotherhood for their fellow Scouts, and they weren’t going to stand for their friends being bullied or picked on by National.

Our charter organization had been considering ending their 40+ year sponsorship of the scouting program at the church over this issue. They recently called me into a board meeting to explain our Crew policy, so I showed them the square knot on my uniform, explained its meaning and told them this story. They were very happy to hear it and I think it restored their faith that the Scouting program works.

‘The New Normal’: Justin Bartha talks tonight’s episode on the Boy Scouts’ gay ban (Entertainment Weekly)

Episode of NBC’s The New Normal to take on Boy Scouts gay ban this week (Gay Star News)

“The New Normal” Addresses Boy Scouts’ Ban (Queerty)

“The United Church of Christ (UCC) has a long history of supporting social justice and affirming the worth of all God’s children, regardless of who they love. . . . ‘The BSA should honor its values of respecting the diversity of theological teachings that exist among the broad spectrum of faith groups that participate, including the UCC’s values of extravagant welcome and inclusion.’”

“As an organization of faith and spirituality, the UUA exemplifies what it means to honor the inherent worth and to nurture spiritual growth of all people. Similarly, the BSA has a long history of standing by these same guiding principles; even the father of the Scouting movement, Lord Robert Baden-Powell, said ‘the sport in Scouting is to find the good in every boy and develop it.’ By accepting all youth who are willing to live by Scouting’s principles into the BSA, we are able to follow his vision.”

Their complete statements of support are available on the Scouts for Equality web site, and kudos to our friends at SFE for their great work here.

From Scouts at crossroads in Orlando over gay ban (Orlando Sentinel):

Brock, speaking before a leadership summit by the group’s Central Florida Council, candidly admitted that, even if the policy doesn’t change, the issue will probably not go away. “We know the younger generation does not view this the same way the older generation does,” Brock said. “They don’t understand what the big deal is.”

Addressing the question of what happens if the policy stays the same, Brock said: “If you look at the demographics, in a few years we’ll revisit this again.”

Due to high demand and additional shipping costs (we can’t fit them in a flat envelope), a donation of $3.50 per pin are highly encouraged to help us cover costs. Orders with accompanying donations will be filled first. As always, thanks for your understanding and support!

Order Yours Now from the Inclusive Scouting Store
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	to help our volunteers reach voting delegates in every BSA council.

Train Backs Out of Boy Scouts Jamboree Over Gay Ban – Train, the band based out of San Francisco, has bowed out of playing at the BSA’s National Jamboree due to the BSA’s ban on openly gay people. They were made aware of this policy by GLAAD, Derek Nance and a petition with over 3,000 signature’s asking them not to play.

PHOTOS: Eagle Scout Delivers 120,000 Petitions Calling For NatGeo To Denounce Boy Scouts’ Gay Ban – Earlier today in Washington, DC openly gay WIll Oliver and members of GLAAD delivered over 120,000 petition signatures to National Geographic in an attempt to persuade them to acknowledge the BSa’s ban on gays and to cancel the showing of new TV show ‘Are you Tougher than a Boy Scout?’

By failing to acknowledge the Boy Scouts’ discriminatory policy, National Geographic Channel is turning a cold shoulder to gay and allied viewers. Silence implies apathy towards all the Scouts and leaders who have been forced to hide who they are,” Oliver said before delivering the petitions. “Over 120,000 people have spoken — not to demand that the show be canceled — but to ask that National Geographic Channel reaffirm its core belief in non-discrimination.”

Boy Scouts, Dump Your ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ Policy (Part 2): The Exclusion of Gays – A brief history of the Boy Scouts Ban on gays in Scouting beginning with the first memorandum in 1978 through the upcoming vote in May.

Culture warriors in Boy Scouts gay membership battle keep hurling hand grenades at each other – The clash between sides in the debate over whether or not the BSA will lift its ban on gays in scouting continues. The LGBT community likens their position to the civil rights movement and is gaining traction with a lot of national companies and members across the country.

Boy Scouts: Tony Perkins Praises Rick Perry And 60 Texas Republicans Supporting Gay Ban –

Family Research Council (FRC) president Tony Perkins is praising a recent open anti-gay letter to the Boy Scouts of America signed by over 60 Texas Republican elected officials. The letter, which originally appeared on a website run by Texas Values, say the signatories “strongly encourage the Boy Scouts of America to stick with their decades of support for family values and moral principles.

National Geographic Rejects Gay Scout’s Petition Request – National Geographic did reject the request to put a disclaimer on their new show airing tonight called, ‘Are You Tougher than a Boy Scout?’, but did offer Will Oliver space to write a blog on the shows website.