Boy Scouts of America to end ban on Gays?

Boy Scouts of America to End Ban on Gays?

For many years, the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) have been known for their strict policies and conservative values. One of their most controversial policies has been their ban on gay members and leaders. However, recent reports suggest that the BSA may be considering ending this ban. This development has sparked debate and controversy across the country.

Background

The BSA’s ban on gay members and leaders has come under increasing scrutiny in recent years. The policy was upheld by the Supreme Court in 2000, but many have called for its repeal in recent years, citing changing social attitudes towards sexuality and gender identity.

In 2013, the BSA made a significant change to their policy, when they lifted the ban on gay youth members. However, the ban on gay adult leaders remains in place.

Possible End to the Ban

Reports in early 2021 indicate that the BSA may be considering ending the ban on gay adult leaders. It is not yet clear what form this change might take, but it is a significant move towards greater equality and inclusion.

Arguments for the End of the Ban

There are many arguments in favor of ending the ban on gay members and leaders in the BSA. One of the most compelling is that it is a matter of basic human rights and equality. No one should be denied the opportunity to participate in an organization based on their sexual orientation.

Another argument is that ending the ban would help to modernize the BSA and make it more relevant to younger generations. Young people today are more accepting of diversity and less likely to be swayed by outdated ideas of gender and sexuality.

Finally, many believe that ending the ban would be good for the BSA itself. By becoming more inclusive, the organization would be able to attract new members and leaders who may have been put off by its previous policies.

Opposing Views

Of course, not everyone supports the idea of ending the ban on gay members and leaders in the BSA. Some argue that it violates the organization’s core values and religious beliefs. Others worry about the potential for conflict or controversy within the organization and among its members.

Conclusion

The possible end of the BSA’s ban on gay members and leaders is a significant step towards greater inclusion and equality. It is a controversial issue that will continue to spark debate and discussion in the coming months and years. However, the move towards greater acceptance and diversity is a positive trend that should be embraced by all.

The Boy Scouts of America may end its longstanding policy of banning homosexual scouts and scout leaders, the organization said in a press release on Monday.

The proposed policy would effectively eliminate the ban on fays from the association’s national charter, subsequently allowing local chapters to decide on the inclusion of gay scouts and scout leaders for themselves.

“Boy Scouts of America is discussing to potentially remove the national membership restriction regarding sexual orientation,” said Deron Smith, a spokesman for the association. The proposed rule change would mean that the association would no longer operate under any national policy concerning sexual orientation. The decision on including gay participation would be overseen and delivered by individual chartered organizations.

The century-old Dallas-based organization represents 290 local charters and in excess of 116,000 local organizations, with a total membership of 2.6 million youth members.

The rule change would allow parents to then decide a local unit which best fits the needs of their families. The policy alteration would allow the civic, religious or educational organizations that deliver and oversee scouting to determine how to address the issue of gay membership.

The new policy, which could be decided-on as early as next week, would represent a public reversal of policy for an organization that recently rejected cries for change. In 2012, following internal investigations on the inclusion of homosexual membership, the association’s executive board issued a statement affirming the ban, claiming it was in the organization’s best interest. This decision ultimately forced the resignation of gay scout leaders and the denial of an Eagle Award to a California high-school senior who had recently come out to his family and friends. The decision also prompted a response from the White House, which said President Barack Obama strongly opposed the association’s ban on gay inclusion.

The statement issued by the White House said that President Obama “opposes discrimination in all forms and as such opposes this policy that discriminates on the basis of sexual orientation.”

According to various media outlets, some of the association’s board members urged the Boy Scouts of America. This sentiment came swiftly after some sponsoring organizations withdrew financial support of the group solely because of the ban.

In response to the ban, change.org petitions opposing the exclusion have collected over 1.2 million signatures and according to various media outlets, at least 350 Eagle Scouts returned their pins in protest of the stance.