MLP: Scouting Guidance

Scouting
Guidance

Scouts biased against Gays -- What should Religious Sponsors Do?

With a U. S. Supreme Court decision allowing the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) to continue its policy of discrimination against gay persons' participation in the scouting movement many questions are being raised -- by scouts, their families, and by local scouting leaders. Serious questions are also emerging concerning the continued sponsorship and financial support for the BSA by religious organizations, United Way programs and school boards around the country.

What should religious groups that sponsor scout troops, yet care deeply about justice and inclusiveness, do in view of this biased stance of the BSA? There appear to be two basic positions to take:

1.STAY AND PROTEST WHILE SEEKING CHANGE

Religious leaders of sponsoring institutions should contact the leaders of affiliated scout troops or cub packs to discuss the implications of the discriminatory policy. They should explain the faith community's commitment to inclusiveness and encourage the scout unit to consider either a protest of the policy within scouting, or moving out of scouting altogether. If he unit is willing to join the sponsoring religious group in a protest, then at the time of the next annual charter renewal or sooner the scout unit and/or its religious sponsor should issue a public statement protesting the BSA policy with regard to gays' participation and declaring that the troop will not adhere to this discriminatory policy. They should also call for the policy to be rescinded. No one knows what actions might ensue or whether the troop or sponsor might be disciplined in some way. But the more protests of this kind that are generated the better the possibility that the message might get through to the BSA national leadership with at least an outside chance of reversal of the policy.

2. LEAVE THE BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA FOR AN ALTERNATIVE PROGRAM.

It is quite feasible to arrange an alternative lodgment of the local troop or pack in a program similar to scouting. This would also be a way to go if the BSA does terminate the charters of troops which officially protest the policy or declare their intention of ignoring it. Already in certain parts of the country several former scout troops and cub packs have transferred to membership in the national program known as Camp Fire Boys and Girls. Established in 1910 Camp Fire Boys and Girls states as one of its core values: "We are inclusive, welcoming children, youth and adults, regardless of race, religion, socioeconomic status, disability, sexual orientation or other aspect of diversity." The YMCA IndianGuides program could be another alternative. Whenever such a transfer is arranged, notice of that action needs to be communicated to the national and local headquarters of the BSA and publicized locally.

Remaining in scouting without advocating change means colluding with the discrimination of the BSA. Inclusive faith communities can not in good conscience do that.

WHAT ARE RELIGIOUS GROUPS DOING?

Scouting is strongly intertwined with religious organizations. In 1998 61% of its units were sponsored by religious institutions. Around the country many religious institutions have taken action to protest the scouting policy. The House of Bishops of the Episcopal Church has officially encouraged the BSA to allow membership to youth and adult leaders irrespective of their sexual orientation and has asked churches which host scout units to open a dialogue with unit leaders, scouts and their parents regarding discrimination against scouts and leaders on the basis of sexual orientation. Both the Unitarian Universalists and the United Church of Christ have raised concerns about the irreconcilable differences in the values of the BSA and the congregations which offer sponsorship. Reformed Jewish leaders have urged parents to withdraw their children from Boy Scout troops and packs and encourage synagogues to end their sponsorship because of the exclusion of gays.

WHAT ARE COMMUNITIES AND SCHOOL BOARDS DOING?

In many areas of the nation, United Way and similar community funding agencies have taken action making scouting units no longer eligible for receiving funding through their programs. School boards have also withdrawn from making their facilities available for scouting use in a number of localities.

THE "SCOUTING FOR ALL" MOVEMENT

A well organized and useful resource coordinating protests of the scout policy is available in support of those wishing to work to change the policy or otherwise to protest or find workable alternatives. It is called Scouting For All, based in Petaluma California and organized by Steven Cozza, a teen age eagle scout and his dad, Scott Cozza. Protests at scout headquarters have been organized widely over recent months and many adults who had achieved the coveted rank of eagle scout as young men have turned in their eagle badges in protest.

While staying and protesting is certainly a valid approach, many in the know see little hope of turning the national BSA leadership around.After all they spent many years and a tremendous amount of money to fight their discriminatory case all the way to the U. S. Supreme Court. Thus religious sponsors and their troops and packs may well want to give serious attention to finding a satisfactory alternative.

- Statement from More Light Presbyterians
March 7, 2001