We've all heard about the Boy Scouts being able to legally exclude homosexuals. So, do you agree?

-- Anonymous, August 04, 2001

Answers

there's this sign along interstate 5 going north from centrallia, i believe. on one side it says 'support the boy scouts decision for decency' or something.

is it right to legally exclude homosexuals from anything? no. the boy scouts shouldn't be an exception. the girl scouts don't exclude based on sexual orientation.

er. that was a horrible answer. but i'm tired.

-- Anonymous, August 04, 2001

No! No no no no no no NO!! Homosexual does NOT equal pedophile, which seems to be what people are afraid of.

I remember hearing someone (I forget who, unfortunately) say something to the effect of, "Don't assume that because I'm gay I want to sleep with you!!" How vain is it to assume that just because you're a man (or boy for that matter) that every gay man wants you? Not exactly realistic is it?

-- Anonymous, August 04, 2001

Legally? Yes, of course. They're a private organization, they can exclude anyone they want to. Girls, for example.

But personally? Hell no. The asses. I'm proud to be a Girl Scout, where we include EVERYONE, dammit.

-- Anonymous, August 04, 2001

I think it's a positive reinforcement of our right to do what we want that the Boy Scouts are allowed to keep gays out. I also think it's an even more positive reinforcement of our right not to put up with that which does not please us that a lot of companies and organizations that used to provide the Boy Scouts with various support have withdrawn said support and said it's because of their decision to keep gay people out. Keep the government out of it; the people will judge them on their own.

-- Anonymous, August 04, 2001

They're a private organization, they can exclude anyone they want to. Girls, for example.

True, true, and I agree. But. The Boy Scouts receive millions in state and federal funding, so it's nowhere near being totally private.

-- Anonymous, August 04, 2001

Sort of related... My brother almost got kicked out of boy scouts because he told the troup leader that he was an atheist. Apparently not only do you have to be straight to be in boy scouts, but you also have to believe in God. (I guess for a lot of clueless people, these go hand in hand?)

-- Anonymous, August 05, 2001

Um...NO! This whole thing makes me sick, honestly. I mean -- I guess it's a testament to the whole organization that they are doing it...it certainly says something about them. And Eric is right that organizations can withdraw support, etc. But more than anything, I hate that Boy Scouts get on their little morality high horse -- implying that homsexuality is ammoral, and the Boy Scouts are all about morality. Argh. People believe that stuff...I hate it. But it's true.

I came across an article (from American Legion Magazine, actually -- eugh...that is some publication) about this whole thing -- and it totally infuriated me -- they said things like, "Since homosexuality is wrong..." etc. etc.

How frustrating.

Unfortunately, there's nothing we can do, eh? Except to steer clear of the bs-ing B.Scouts and watch who we give charitable contributions to...

-- Anonymous, August 06, 2001

For that matter, I've chosen not to take part in giving money to those bell-ringers for the Salvation Army this Christmas, and will probably write to the local malls asking them not to allow them on their property. Probably won't result in much, maybe the mall will give me some gift certificates or something. :)

-- Anonymous, August 06, 2001

I'd like to add to Eric's off-topic remark about the Salvation Army: I was thinking of having cards made up that would say something to the effect of: "I am boycotting the Salvation Army from all my donations because of its stance of hatred towards the gay community."

I also think that the Boy Scouts should not force their own troops to discriminate based on sexual orientation. A Boston-based troop recently adopted the military's "Don't Ask Don't Tell" policy, which is not good, but is better than nothing. We'll see how the National Boy Scouts react to that....

-- Anonymous, August 07, 2001

Oops. I meant to say that the poo-on-the-Salvation-Army cards would be dropped in all the Santa buckets that I see outside stores in December.

-- Anonymous, August 07, 2001

Yay for letter-writers! Make your opinions known! Goddamn, I'm so happy I could hug you all!

-- Anonymous, August 07, 2001

No. And I think it's absolutely a ridiculous idea/rule to even consider. No one should ever be excluded from anything they want to take part in. No matter what. Period, end of story.

Heh. I guess I feel pretty strongly about it.

-- Anonymous, August 12, 2001

No one should ever be excluded from anything they want to take part in. No matter what. Period, end of story.

I agree. Be sure to watch TV next week, because I've decided I want to be a starring player on E/R. Oh, and Jen, do you go to a women- only health club? Because I'd like to join that, too. I'd also like to be a member of the British Royal family, so call me Lord Lance now.

-- Anonymous, August 13, 2001

Smartass. You knew what she meant.

I certainly don't agree with what they're doing, and I feel they're being irresponsible. With the declining numbers of good and healthy (both used loosely here) activites in which "young people" can involve themselves, I feel like they're doing everyone a disservice by bringing this up. They do, however, have every right to feel whatever they want to feel like. I find hatred of this level sad and pitiful. People fear what they do not understand.

On a semi-related note, what is an Eagle Scout? When a Boy Scout makes it to age 18. I guess it was funnier the first time I said it to a friend.

-- Anonymous, August 14, 2001

no i don't agree with this decision. like it was brought up before, if they're a private organization then all public support needs to be withdrawn so they can use private organization policy. that'll teach'em. the thing that just really bites is that its the boy scouts. i mean crikey, my fiancee is (was?) an eagle scout, we want our kids to be scouts. its a good experience for them. its something they can't get anyplace else. but damned if i'll let my kids be exposed to hatred if i can help it. its a double-edged sword. same thing with the salvation army. they're scum for trying to discriminate based on sexual preferences. but having worked in a volunteer program i KNOW how many people rely on the salvation army (especially in the hampton roads area) and would be unable to survive without the help they receive. do i let the attitudes of the higher- ups determine whether or not i try to help someone who is less fortunate than i and needs help? damned if you do and damned if you don't.

-- Anonymous, August 16, 2001

Since the Boy Scouts are a private organization they are allowed to do whatever the hell they want this includes not letting homosexuals and any thing else for that matter to be leaders. When people understand that then there really isnt a discussion to this. To expound on this, if i applied for a private churh of christ high school and I am catholic they have the right to not hire me because I am not a follower of their religion. it's simple any PRIVATE organization has the right to do whatever they want. Especially because one of the main beliefs is that of reverence having a homosexual around promotes acceptance though it is not right to tolerate any homosexual activity.

-- Anonymous, August 19, 2001