Financial supporters of the Boy Scouts of America have been under firm pressure by gay rights organizations demanding that companies take a stand against the youth organization whose policy discriminates against people based on their sexual orientation.
The push might just be working. This week the BSA lost funding from their largest corporate funder, Intel, which reportedly gave the youth organization more than $700,000 in 2010.
The move resulted from a campaign launched by Eagle Scout Zach Wahls, founder of Scouts for Equality, who started a campaign at Change.org. He urged Intel to pull funding for BSA after an American Independent report disclosed that the company gave large contributions to the organization. With the support of GLAAD and the signatures of 30,000 Americans, Wahls pushed the Intel Foundation to halt their financial support to the BSA.
In a statement to ThinkProgress, Intel reaffirmed their policy, claiming that it will not fund “organizations that discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, veteran or disability status.”
According to ThinkProgress, prospective recipients of Intel grants will now have to sign a statement confirming that they do not discriminate based on creed or sexual orientation, and any groups that cannot do so will be ineligible for funding.
Under the policy, Boy Scout troops and councils that refuse to uphold the BSA’s discriminating policy would still be eligible for funding. Intel’s Chief Diversity Officer, Rosalind Hudnell, wrote in the statement;
Due to significant growth in the number of organizations funded, earlier this year we revisited our policies associated with the program, and applied new rigor that requires any organization to confirm that it adheres to Intel’s anti-discrimination policy in order to receive funding. Intel is committed to fostering a culture of inclusion and to supporting the communities in which we live and work.
Trouble first started brewing for the BSA in April 2012 when Jennifer Tyrrell, a mom and den leader from Ohio was removed from her 7-year-old’s Cub Scout Pack for being gay. GLAAD then started the lean on the BSA to end their ban on gay scouts and scout leaders by starting a Change.org petition in support of Tyrell. The petition attracted more than 330,000 signatures.
Since then, gay rights supporters have been demanding that the BSA reverse their policy. CEOs for both AT&T and Ernst and Young issued statements saying they disagreed with the ban on gay scouts and scout leaders and supported a proposed resolution to end the ban.
Even President Obama and Mitt Romney agree that the BSA should not discriminate against people based on their sexual orientation.
Many families have chosen to boycott the youth organization, removing their sons from troops or not permitting their sons to join in protest of the anti-gay policy. This choice has opened many family conversations around the dinner table about gay rights and discrimination.
The BSA has agreed to review the ban on homosexuals but as of now, no changes have been announced.
Should the Boy Scouts give in to pressure to lift the ban? Is your family boycotting the BSA? Do you talk to your children about gay rights? Please share your thoughts and experiences in the comments.
As far as gay being all about sex talk, that's an interesting perspective. I disagree. I've never had a conversation with anyone about his or her gay sex life but it may be that I'm the exception. I certainly wouldn't want an adult discussing sex with my child in any manner. Has the BSA specifically banned prostitutes? I would think they would be talking about sex all the time as well since it is their job. And maybe strippers. Hermaphrodites also. It isn't their job but the sex subject might come up too often. This certainly makes more sense than the gay rubbing off.
"You guys are really stupid if you think that the current ban on gays is really keeping them out of the scouts. It is true that some will avoid the BSA because they want to make a statement about not supporting it, but I feel many just join anyway and take their chances with discovery. The organization does a lot of very good things and people want to be a part of that. The only thing that will change when the BSA stops banning gays is that the gays ALREADY IN THE SCOUTS will no longer have to be afraid that they will be kicked out." I re-posted this because it illustrates why the handedness argument is relevant. Lets say the BSA had a ban on left handed people. Hypothetical left handed kid REALLY wants to join boy scouts because his brother was an eagle scout or something. He could practice like hell at pretending to be right handed and possibly become almost as good. He would still be left handed though. He would have to constantly fear that a thoughtless gesture would "out" him and get him banned. "Handedness and race have nothing behavioral to cause anyone to shun them." If you really believe gay people deserve what they get because they make other people uncomfortable just by being who they are then we really don't have anything more to say to each other.
Bottom line is that a private organization has the right to set the standard for their PRIVATE organization. I just can't help but think that there was more to the original story for this to even be news.
Good article. Here's an excerpt from the gay male that wrote it "..NEVER ONCE was I treated any differently than any other guest – it was a non issue – the way it should be. That’s Disney's policy and it’s a good one. In return for that, my partner and I act appropriately when we’re in public – the way any couple should – straight or gay. And before I get any emails from my gay brethren calling me a ‘self loathing aunt tom’ (someone actually called me that once), let me be clear – I’m proud of who and what I am. I just don’t feel the need to force feed it to the world in that way. Disney is a place where reality is suspended, at least for a time. It’s not a place for anyone’s political agenda – right or left." "....and in my opinion, deformed into what is now nothing more than a vile spectacle of self indulgence and indecency. No matter how prudish that last sentence may sound, trust me – I’m no prude. I have a liberal streak that cuts through me like a hot knife through butter, but I like to think that I was raised with a certain sense of decency and a pretty good sense of right and wrong. There is a time and a place for everything, and Disney World is neither in this instance." I think he helps me rest my case. People see and hear that and form their opinions from what is made public.
Watch out now, you'll soon be denigrated for passing your beliefs on to your children because some don't agree with them (just giving you a warning-lol). I'd like to congratulate you and others for not resorting to name calling and condescension, and twisting your words. Taking either the high road or low road reveals much about the writer in my opinion. You have taken the high road and have a lot of courage.
The BSA is a time honored American tradition. That organization has had more influence in shaping today's real men than any other. Even Obama was a Boy Scout....oh.....wait a minute.......I forgot, uh......never mind. Now that I think about it, that explains a lot. Get ready Far Left cry babies, the Scouts are coming.
Are you ctually reading what you write at this point Tammy? It's a good thing heterosexuals have NEVER acted inappropriately in public. That NEVER happens but if it did it would make all heterosexuals look bad and cause issues for other heterosexuals who had nothing to do with those inappropriate acts.. Do you see the folly in your attempt at cogent argument? Or shall I further illustrate the apparent disconnect by providing links to a few hundred instances of public sexual misconduct by heteros? Interesting (but rather typical of you) that you have a token gay friend who talks about sex all the time and you conclude from that that it is some sort of trait shared by all homosexuals.
If your objection is that you don't want gays around your children because "Heterosexuals don't talk around talking about their sex life or inject it into every conversation" then you are insane. If you objection is "Gays are free to make their own choices, but I would not choose one to babysit my children, nor would I put them under their care. It isn't about pedophilia. It's about being straight." You may not be a bigot but you aren't taking the high road.
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he mailed it back ,what was bsa comment ? that boy spent years listening to the scout law and oath he knew what was up !morraly straight means morraly straight ,not turning to tha left .
Scouts succeed from intellect and knowing the correct reaction in any given situation. You, clearly have not the intellect nor common sense of a scout. For these reasons, the scouts would prefer that you no longer speak on their behalf going forward. Good Day Sir!
There is alot good with the BSA, but apparently there is also alot that is shameful and regrettable.
not the color of tha rainbow
As far as discrimination goes, the Scouts are taking boys and helping to teach them how to be men, not pansies. Gays, have fun, knock yourselves out, most people don't care one way or the other, but there is one great truth that can never be ignored: If you are going to march to the beat of a different drum, you have to stay out of the parade.
the boy scouts have codes ,laws and moto ,they live by ! using the bible and teaching boys cleanliness both morally and externally . homosesexuality is against god laws . and the bible CLearly states what will happen to gays and that THAY are unclean chatholics make up most of scouts and they would pull there funding and scouting would stop . as far as tha military goes u may here gays are allowed but out in tha field its a tottaly diff ball game ..blanket partys with rifle buts are tha norm with scouts tha boys dont like being around gay boys and will torment themb with blanket partys . smearing beanut butter and jelly all ova the inside of there sleepin bags and clothes so ants will get on them . hiding there things soaking all there things with water so THEY will spend a cold nite in tha woods . by morning tha gay boys are always whinin and wantin there momas and jus to get a ride home . boys are ruthless way more than regular society and dont wana be viewd as a side of meat in tha meat market . gays dont belong in tha military or scouting