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It seems the Boy Scouts are feeling the heat for their discriminatory ways all over. Remember the story about the Philadelphia council who faced losing the free use of their city-owned headquarters building for discriminating against homosexuals? Well, it's happening here, too, in my own backyard. The Sea Scouts, a sailing-oriented arm of the Boy Scouts have berthed their boats for free in the Berkeley Marina since the 1930's. In 1997, however, Berkeley adopted a non-discrimination policy in regards to the use of the marina and cancelled the scouts' subsidy the following year.In 2000, the Supreme Court ruled that the scouts do have the right to ban gay leaders, a decision I support, even though I abhor its implementation. That doesn't mean, however, that cities and states have to ignore that when considering what groups will receive such benefits. It is in the community's best interest for the government to support groups that provide a service to that community. The Red Cross is a good example of this. Not every group that comes along automatically gets support, however, and communities like Berkeley are deciding that discriminatory groups like the scouts do not represent the best use of their limited funds.
In this respect, I salute both Berkeley and Philadelphia in taking a stand for what's right. Eugene Evans, the leader of the Berkeley Sea Scouts, disagreed and sued the city. The case went all the way to the State Supreme Court which decided unanimously that local governments are not obligated to offer support to groups that discriminate. From there, the case went to the Supreme Court of the US who declined to take the case, indicating that they saw nothing wrong with the decision handed down by the State Supreme Court. I'm sure this isn't the last we'll hear of this, but for now, I say the courts have made the right decision. Let's hope the Boy Scouts get the hint and change their policies.
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ReaderComments (Page 1 of 1)
10-17-2006 @ 10:43AM
Keri said..."In 2000, the Supreme Court ruled that the scouts do have the right to ban gay leaders, a decision I support, even though I abhor its implementation."
This is quite a contradictory statement. Can you explain why you support the scouts banning gay leaders?
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10-17-2006 @ 11:10AM
ann adams said...I don't know what Roger's answer would be so I'm speaking only for myself.
The Boy Scouts are a private organization. As such, their practices (with which I disagree) are their own. They can set their own membership policies. I'm free to keep my kids (if I had boys) out of the Scouts which I would do. I won't support any organization which discriminates on the basis of religion, race, sexual orientation, etc. The Scouts qualify for two out of three of the discriminatory practices I just listed.
The Girl Scouts don't discriminate by the way (as far as I know).
The problems begin when the Scouts want to have their cake and eat it too. They see nothing wrong with their exclusionary practices and they're accustomed to the public support they've received over the years.
In one case after another, the courts are deciding that so long as the Scouts discriminate they can't benefit from public funding.
The two Supreme Court decisions (or non-decision in the public facilities case) are apples and oranges.
Can they set their own membership rules? Yes they can.
Can they receive public funding if they are exclusionary? No they can't.
Incidentally, I don't have the info at my fingertips but groups have sprung up similar to the Scouts but which welcome everybody. That's where I'd be sending my kids.
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10-17-2006 @ 11:26AM
Kimberly said...The major reason I sent my daughter to Guides and not Scouts was the disciminatory practices of the Scouts. I wanted her to be part of an organization that welcomes and values everyone, not one that actively promotes ignorance and intolerance.
I say Bravo to these communities for standing up for what is right.
I guess from now on, the Boy Scouts will have to be prepared to pay user fees just like any other private organization.
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10-17-2006 @ 11:38AM
meghan said...Thanks Ann, I was going to say exactly the same thing, but you beat me to it!
Also, you're correct about the Girl Scouts, our practices are very different from the Boy Scouts. Everyone is welcome (not just girls, either!) Girl Scouts was/is a huge part of my life, I've been an active member since I was ten years old, and have lifetime member status. I am eagerly awaiting the day I can be a leader to my own girls, but if I ever have any sons, they will not participate in Boy Scouts. I don't agree with their policies, so my guys will have to find another place to belong, and get most of their camping skills from their parent's love of the outdoors.
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10-17-2006 @ 12:21PM
ann adams said...My girls were Brownies and would be Scouts now if we could find a troop close to home and a schedule compatible with ours.
I loved the Scouts when I was a girl.
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10-17-2006 @ 12:53PM
Uncle Roger said...Keri -- What Ann said.
But to elaborate... What I tried to get across (badly, it seems) is that I support the right of the scouts to do what they want with their group. As a wise man once said, "I hate the Illinois Nazis." And yet, I support their right to meet and think what they want to think and even march and hold a rally. As much as it turns my stomach, it would make me even more sick to try and censor them. So, while I don't support the scouts, or their policies (note the word abhor above), I do have to support the decision to let them run their group as they wish.
However, (and that's a big however!) that doesn't mean, as Ann so eloquently put it, that they can have their cake and eat it too. They can do what they want with their group, but I, as a member of the community, don't have to support it. The government doesn't have to give them a free (and, I'd bet, incredibly valuable) berth in their marina. Given the scouts' policies, I would rather see Berkeley rent that berth out at market rates and use the income to support other, more inclusive community groups.
I hope that explains it better.
btw, there are alternatives to the boy scouts. One is the Spiral Scouts, profiled here: http://www.bloggingbaby.com/2006/01/12/spiral-scouts-offer-wiccan-alternative-to-boy-and-girl-scouts/
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10-17-2006 @ 1:03PM
Keri said...Aha. Thank you both for your clarification, Ann and Roger. =)
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