One of the key points here is that sexual orientation and sex and NOT the same thing. I AM gay – it’s my orientation, an essential part of my being and my identity. I will be gay whether I ever have sex or not.

The Boys and Girls Clubs do not discriminate, nor does the Girl Scouts. I think they would argue that they provide just as good programs as does the BSA.

Most LGBT people are very well aware of the BSA’s antigay attitudes – they are very explicit about it when they talk about “moral character.” And remember, the BSA went to the US Supreme Court to argue that they are a private religious organization and therefore should be ALLOWED to discriminate. The court agreed and almost everyone knows that.

A background check is standard operating procedure for anyone having extensive dealings with youth – as it should be. Did YOU know that most pedophiles are straight? Check this out – http://gayteens.about.com/b/2009/07/21/the-myth-of-the-gay-pedophile.htm

Everyone involved with this argument agrees that the Explorer Scouts program was very good. The problem was that LFL had ample opportunity – years – to disassociate from the proudly discriminatory BSA – which they didn’t do – and therefore they were in violation of LA city law.

And yes – the LAPD is in the process of creating their own superb youth program and they strongly anticipate having youth groups from around the state and the country wanting to play THEM!

I just interviewed the new LAPD chief yesterday and he is very keen on making their program work – and having it serve as a pathway to a career in law enforcement – for ALL people interested.

If the BSA wants to continue to discriminate – that is their right. It is also the right of the LAPD not to renew its contract with BSA’s front group, LFL. And I would argue our youth will be better served for it because they will not only learn “explorer” skills but a skill BSA doesn’t teach: respect for the dignity of all human beings.

Gay or straight, reverent or not, name one organization who can serve youth as well as the BSA. Exploring is not scouting, rather it is a career awarness and exposure program. No where in that mission is sex ever a topic for discussion, interpretation, or opinions.

I have a question or two or three =) for you,
1)If part of your argument is that LFL was a front for the BSa then how would those gay post advisors or youth even know that there was potential for discrimination against them by joing the program…
2) Did you know that the only requirment for participation of adults is a background check to prevent sexual predators from interacting with youth.
3) did you know the only requirment of participation for youth is based on age and enrollment in a school within the locality of the program?
4)Can you name one program that can serve youth as well as LFL/BSA?
5) Did you know that this is a volunteer run program? Adminstartive duties are handled by LFL? Would you not allow a fortune 500 CEO to speak with youth because his/her company had a sexual preference/discrimination lawsuit in its past?

I have personally been to Exploring programs throughout the country that were lead by openly gay leaders. If you were just the average participant at the program you never would have known this to be true, because it is not a subject that is in line with the goal of Exploring. And even if you had a suspicion, who cares? The point is to help the kids learn about job possibilities, salaries, career paths, etc.

I think that this attack on the BSA is rediculous. Scouting teaches boys and young men practical skills.
Exploring teaches both young men and women practical skills correlated to success in business and a career.
I think it is selfish for gays straights, or purple people from pluto to take that opportunity away from youth. For ten dollars a kid from the roughest part of town can break out of the trend; can be a member of a program that looks great on a resume and better the individual youth in countless ways. You tell me is it worth losing? Is there an alternative? Or is the LAPD going to create a program that is exactly the same just not associated with the resources of the BSA? I highly doubt that. In fact it will pale in comparison. Who will their top youth compete against? the LAPD effectivley cut itself off from a really cool national program.

Did you not read the article?

Gay kids and professionals know they are not welcome. The only kids and professionals that benefit from the Explorer program are straight, hardly a refreshing way for the government to spend public money.

If a Scout or Scouter belongs to a religion that doesn’t have an issue with gays, why is BSA telling them that their beliefs are wrong?

If BSA would actually follow the Scout Oath and Law and leave issues of sex and sexual orientation up to an individual’s family and faith, they wouldn’t be in this mess. Rather conservative elements in the organization have decided to force their views on others to the detriment of the organization.

More zealotry flushes a GREAT program. LAPD gets what it deserves for its refusal to stand up to for differing points of view.

Well, a couple of things.

As I explained in an earlier post – http://www.lgbtpov.com/2009/10/will-the-la-police-commission-fail-lgbt-youth-again/ -

this is way more than just one case against one gay scout leader. It’s been several cases, in fact, including the one that made it to the US Supreme Court where the court ruled that the BSA had a right to discriminate against gays because they are a private, religious organization. THAT violates LA City Law – which is what a lot of this conflict was about.

Secondly – while the scouts may do good work, teaching them that gays are immoral is not one of them. There are plenty of other youth groups that welcome LGBT youth and scouts – such as the Girl Scouts and the Boys & Girls Clubs.

In my book, discrimination is not a good or moral value to uphold or teach – and that’s what the BSA does. And, they have a right to do it privately, But when they violate city and state laws and are taking my tax dollars to do it – NO WAY.