After review, Boy Scouts reaffirm ban on gays; six months later talk about change

[soultrain]

Seriously! The last couple times I've been asked by scouts to buy their popcorn, while entering or exiting the grocery store, I told them something along the lines of "sorry, but I don't support conservative religious organizations that discriminate."
.

Wow! What a terrific teaching moment

How did the youngster take it.

[SteamChief]

New york —NEW YORK — The Boy Scouts of America may soon give sponsors of troops the authority to decide whether to accept gays as scouts and leaders — a potentially dramatic retreat from an exclusionary nationwide policy that has provoked relentless protests.

Under the change now being discussed, the different religious and civic groups that sponsor Scout units would be able to decide for themselves how to address the issue — either maintaining an exclusion of gays, as is now required of all units, or opening up their membership.

[soultrain]

I will buy expensive popcorn again if they do overturn the ban.

Don't like the popcorn, but I do slip them a 20. Terrific organization that does a lot for young boys. They are a private organization and have a right to set criteria for membership. I admire their conviction in the face of PC hysteria

[Baltimatt]

Don't like the popcorn, but I do slip them a 20. Terrific organization that does a lot for young boys. They are a private organization and have a right to set criteria for membership. I admire their conviction in the face of PC hysteria

Did you read the whole thread? They look like they will change their convictions six months after they reaffirmed them.

[soultrain]

I did and I know their position is softening. If that is what they decide, so be it. I'm not a gay basher. I just happen to think the Boy Scouts have been the target of great ridicule for their decision, despite their contributions to the lives of tens of thousands of boys.

[RavnFreek]

I think this is a great step in the right direction for scouts. Good for them.

[Baltimatt]

So, they spent two years deciding to uphold their ban, then it took them six month to apparently undo all that.

Lesbian former Cub Scout leader reacts.

[Jennifer] Tyrrell cried when she got the news that the Boy Scouts of America may change its policy to allow gays and lesbians as scouts and leaders. But when NEWS9 caught up with her on Monday night, she shared a different emotion, skepticism. "I'm excited but I'm going to stay a little reserved about it until they say for sure," said Tyrrell.

Eight months ago, Tyrrell was kicked out of the organization because she was a lesbian. At the time, she was the den leader of her son's tiger cub pack in Bridgeport. Unlike others before her, Tyrrell didn't go quietly.

[regularguy]

Wow! What a terrific teaching moment

How did the youngster take it.

They took it fine. "Oh; ok." They probably had no idea what I was talking about, but the parents with them undoubtedly did. I didn't stand around debating... just said my piece as I passed by. If they hadn't asked me to buy their stuff, I wouldn't have said anything (which is what I do with the Salvation Army guys, since they don't verbally solicit).

[regularguy]

Wow! What a terrific teaching moment

BTW; I note the "" Do you think boy scouts should be shielded from the knowledge that they are members of a conservative religious organization that discriminates?

[Baltimatt]

Regularguy--

I would probably address the adults, not the boys, if I wanted to make such a point known.

[regularguy]

Regularguy--

I would probably address the adults, not the boys, if I wanted to make such a point known.

It was the boys who were asking me to buy their popcorn.

I'll ask you the same question I asked Soultrain. Do you think boy scouts should be shielded from the knowledge that they are members of a conservative religious organization that discriminates?

[Baltimatt]

Regularguy--

That may be appropriate for the older boys, but with Cub Scouts and younger Boy Scouts, I don't think I'd want to push that on them. So to play it safe, I'd rather voice any objections I had to the adult leaders present.

Yes, children should be somewhat shielded from many adult truths.

[Fang]

Are women allowed in the boyscouts? Anyone?

[Baltimatt]

Fang--

Women are allowed as adult leaders. Girls are not admitted except as Explorers, which is a co-ed program.

[Fang]

Fang--

Women are allowed as adult leaders. Girls are not admitted except as Explorers, which is a co-ed program.

Then I would allow the same for gay men.

[Baltimatt]

Then I would allow the same for gay men.

Could you please elaborate? Are you saying it's OK for gay men to be leaders, but not gay scouts except for Explorers?

[Fang]

Could you please elaborate?

Why do men and women use separate public restrooms? It isn't because we have different genitals.

[Baltimatt]

Why do men and women use separate public restrooms? It isn't because we have different genitals.

That's a question I have asked. Now, I have added to my earlier question to you, so could you clarify what you mean. Thanks.

[regularguy]

Why do men and women use separate public restrooms? It isn't because we have different genitals.

You want gay boys and men to use separate restrooms from straight boys and men? Which one should bisexuals use?

[Fang]

That's a question I have asked.

It is a good question. But why would gay men not use the women's restroom? I'm not trying to be a smart@ss and I'm not implying gay men are soft or whatever. But I played sports in highschool and we knew who the gay men were. Yet, they still used the locker room and shower with the hetero men. And yes, I had a certain amount of discomfort when I was near a gay man in the locker room. To me, this was no different than me showering in the women's locker room.

So if that makes any sense at all, it's along the same lines that I agree with the boyscouts wanting to keep gays out. It's not about fear of something bad could happen. It's a time for boys/men to bond as males.

If they want to have co-ed scouts and boy scouts I think thats fine. Gay men can do the co-ed and no one even needs to know their sexual preference. But if you're in boys only, the assumption is your are hetero.