Response to BSA Resolution
Scouting for All Reacts to the BSA Chest Thumping
BSA Adopts First-Ever Resolution Condemning Gays and Atheists
Scouting for All Responds
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The Boy Scouts of America have adopted a resolution dated
February 6, 2002, in which gays and atheists are deemed unfit and
unacceptable role models for scout youth. Although the Boy Scouts have
had
an unwritten policy concerning gays, this is the first time in their 92-year
history that it has become an actual resolution.
The resolution came about in response to the many individual Scout Councils
who are calling for change within their organization. These Councils
were
fighting to maintain their right to choose their own membership and
leadership, even if this included leaders and scouts who happened to be gay.
But the new resolution strikes down local authority and autonomy and in
effect says that parents and volunteers cannot be responsible for choosing
the best leadership for their own children. "...the BSA values
cannot be
subject to local option choices," the resolution reads, "but must be
the
same in every unit..."
"It is ironic that the BSA core value of respecting diversity is not
practiced within the organization," said Scott Cozza, president of
Scouting
for All. "And it is a shame that the BSA National Office is turning
a deaf
ear to its own members."
Scouting for All, and their supporters who struggle for human rights, salute
the bravery of the councils in standing up to the National Office.
"It is
no small thing to risk getting kicked out of an organization you love,"
said
Steven Cozza, 16-year-old co-founder of Scouting for All. But denouncing
bigotry and prejudice is really what the Scout Oath and Law are about.
These councils recognized that and did the right thing," he concluded.
"If the BSA wants to continue to symbolize bigotry," said Scott
Cozza, "let
it do so, but without the support of Americans and individual Scout Councils
who oppose bigotry and discrimination. To this end our organization will
continue to work for change by asking the United Way to adhere to their
anti-discrimination standards, and by asking that public schools not allow
the BSA to recruit in our schools until they include all of our children in
a democratic fashion. We will also work to ensure that local and national
government agencies - including the White House, really rethink their
support of an organization that leaves our gay and atheist children behind
as well as gay and atheist leaders. Scouting for All also urges President
Bush to step down as the Honorary President of the BSA. He stated in his
State of the Union Address, "to leave no child behind." Lets see if
our
President will stand by his own words.
For Further information Contact:
Scott Cozza, Pres.
Scouting for All
Pager: 1-800-974-0624
Tel: 707-778-0564
email: info@scoutingforall.org
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