Boy Scouts: End gay Scout ban, keep it for leaders

The governing board of the Boy Scouts of America on Friday recommended ending the organization’s ban on openly gay Scouts but keeping its prohibition on gay troop leaders. The proposal displeased advocates on both sides and ensured a new flurry of lobbying before the larger national body votes on the matter at its annual meeting next month.

The the executive committee’s resolution follows a year of shifting signals from the massive youth organization as it tries to finds its place in a nation where views on homosexuality are changing fast but remain polarized. Last summer, the group reaffirmed its ban on openly gay Scouts and leaders; then, in February, it said it was were revisiting the subject amid pressure from some board members, corporate sponsors and families. Polling from the organization released Friday showed deep division remains in the Scouting community.

“While perspectives and opinions vary significantly, parents, adults in the Scouting community, and teens alike tend to agree that youth should not be denied the benefits of Scouting,” said the committee, headquartered in Texas. The resolution states that sexual activity by any youth “of Scouting age is contrary to the virtues of Scouting.”

It’s unclear whether the full 1,400-member National Council will approve the executive committee’s recommendation when it gathers the week of May 20. The council consists of local and regional Scouting representatives, including both youths and adults, as well as at-large members and the roughly 75-member, all-volunteer executive committee that is charged with governing the national organization.

Scout officials had said in recent weeks that they were considering letting local Scout groups adopt their own position, so Friday’s proposal surprised even those who had been closely watching the issue. Across the board, people voiced varying degrees of disappointment and said they would keep pushing for their point of view.

“All along, I knew they’d tried to split the baby on this. They have the risk of alienating everyone,” said Cathy Stocker, a den leader of Cub Scout Pack 56 in Bethesda, Md.

Still, she said: “I’m encouraged because this is in the right direction. My husband is a war veteran, and we understand it’s difficult for very large organizations to change, in any way. If the U.S. military can do it, the Boy Scouts can do it.”

A national group of parents and Scouts who want to keep the ban put out a statement saying the Boy Scouts had caved in to “outside pressure.”

“When it comes to young boys, parents should still have the final say on the issues of sexuality and politics,” said John Stemberger, an Eagle Scout and founder of OnMyHonor.Net, which he said had received donations from thousands of people. “The cleverly-worded resolution tries to dodge criticism from gay activists but still creates a myriad of problems for how to manage and ensure the safety of the boys in the program.”

Chad Griffin, president of Human Rights Campaign, a large gay rights advocacy group, said the resolution, while promising in its flexibility, “must go further” to allow gay Scout leaders.

“Parents and adults of good moral character, regardless of sexual orientation, should be able to volunteer their time to mentor the next generation of Americans,” Griffin said. “What message does this resolution send to the gay Eagle Scout who, as an adult, wants to continue a lifetime of Scouting by becoming a troop leader?”

Some religious groups were cautious in their response. More than 70 percent of troops are chartered by faith-based groups. The Scouts said in February that their shift to reconsider the ban was led in part by people who said the ban violated their religious beliefs.

The Mormon Church, the largest single organization that charters Scout troops, was not included in the polling data the Scouts released about how religious groups feel about the ban.

Michael Purdy, a spokesman for the church, said in a statement that Mormon “leaders will take the time needed to fully review the language and study the implications of this new proposal.” He noted a final decision won’t be made until next month.

Nearly two-thirds of Mormons – 65 percent – said homosexuality should be discouraged by society in a 2011 survey by the Pew Forum on Religion &Public Life. By contrast, just 33 percent of the public said it should.

The National Catholic Committee on Scouting did not respond immediately to a request for comment, nor did a spokesman for the Washington region’s largest mosque, the All Dulles Area Muslim Society in Sterling, Va., which has a large Scouting program.

On Friday, the Scouts released polling showing how divided the massive Scouting community is on the topic — though numbers are shifting.

In 2010, according to Scout polling, 57 percent percent of Scout parents supported the ban. Today, 48 percent do.

Research on religious organizations that charter troops showed that “their concern is with homosexual adult leaders and not with youth,” the Boy Scouts said. The group said its research showed a lifting of the ban on men and boys would cause membership losses “in a range from 100,000 to 350,000.” It also would gain the organization 10,000 to 20,000 new youth, the Scout research said.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Trader Joe’s customers walk in and out of the store on Monday, Nov. 20, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
New Trader Joe’s opens this week at Everett Mall

It’s a short move from a longtime location, essentially across the street, where parking was often an adventure.

Ian Bramel-Allen enters a guilty plea to second-degree murder during a plea and sentencing hearing on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Deep remorse’: Man gets 17 years for friend’s fatal stabbing in Edmonds

Ian Bramel-Allen, 44, pleaded guilty Wednesday to second-degree murder for killing Bret Northcutt last year at a WinCo.

Firefighters respond to a small RV and a motorhome fire on Tuesday afternoon in Marysville. (Provided by Snohomish County Fire Distrct 22)
1 injured after RV fire, explosion near Marysville

The cause of the fire in the 11600 block of 81st Avenue NE had not been determined, fire officials said.

Ashton Dedmon appears in court during his sentencing hearing on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett Navy sailor sentenced to 90 days for fatal hit and run

Ashton Dedmon crashed into Joshua Kollman and drove away. Dedmon, a petty officer on the USS Kidd, reported he had a panic attack.

A kindergarten student works on a computer at Emerson Elementary School on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘¡Una erupción!’: Dual language programs expanding to 10 local schools

A new bill aims to support 10 new programs each year statewide. In Snohomish County, most follow a 90-10 model of Spanish and English.

Logo for news use featuring the Tulalip Indian Reservation in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Woman drives off cliff, dies on Tulalip Reservation

The woman fell 70 to 80 feet after driving off Priest Point Drive NW on Sunday afternoon.

Everett
Boy, 4, survives fall from Everett fourth-story apartment window

The child was being treated at Seattle Children’s. The city has a limited supply of window stops for low-income residents.

People head out to the water at low tide during an unseasonably warm day on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at Lighthouse Park in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett shatters record high temperature by 11 degrees

On Saturday, it hit 73 degrees, breaking the previous record of 62 set in 2007.

Snohomish County Fire District #4 and Snohomish Regional Fire & Rescue respond to a motor vehicle collision for a car and pole. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene, near Triangle Bait & Tackle in Snohomish. (Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office)
Police: Troopers tried to stop driver before deadly crash in Snohomish

The man, 31, was driving at “a high rate of speed” when he crashed into a traffic light pole and died, investigators said.

Alan Dean, who is accused of the 1993 strangulation murder of 15-year-old Bothell girl Melissa Lee, appears in court during opening statements of his trial on Monday, March 18, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
31 years later, trial opens in Bothell teen’s brutal killing

In April 1993, Melissa Lee’s body was found below Edgewater Creek Bridge. It would take 27 years to arrest Alan Dean in her death.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Snohomish in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Man dies after crashing into pole in Snohomish

Just before 1 a.m., the driver crashed into a traffic light pole at the intersection of 2nd Street and Maple Avenue.

Bodies of two men recovered after falling into Eagle Falls near Index

Two men fell into the falls and did not resurface Saturday, authorities said. After a recovery effort, two bodies were found.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.