HRC Monday Ad Calls for End to Discriminatory Boy Scout Ban on Gays

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FORIMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 3, 2013
Charles Joughin | 

HRC Monday Ad Calls for End to DiscriminatoryBoy Scout Ban on Gays 
Proposed Policy Change Not Good Enough
WASHINGTON –Two days before an expected vote, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) – thenation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civil rightsorganization – will run afull-page ad in the Dallas Morning News on Monday calling on the leadershipat Boy Scouts of America (BSA) to end its discriminatory policy prohibiting gaypeople from Scouting and adopt a national non-discrimination standard. Lastweek, BSA representatives indicated the organization would consider changingthe policy to instead allow local sponsoring organizations to make their owndecisions and potentially discriminate at the local level.

“While theproposed change is a step in the right direction, we can’t pretend that passingthe buck to the local level will eliminate anti-gay discrimination because itwon't," said HRC communications vice president Fred Sainz. “Generations ofgay Americans have been told they’re not good enough to join the Scouts, simplybecause of who they are.  BSA has an opportunity to change that this weekby adopting a non-discrimination policy. Scouting, which has played animportant role in American society, will be strengthened by that action."

Thead, which will appear in the print edition of the newspaper Monday morning,encourages readers to call on the BSA board to enact a nationwideanti-discrimination policy.  Currently the organization’s official policyis to "not grant membership to individuals who are open or avowedhomosexuals" as Scouts or adult Scout Leaders.

On Friday,the Human Rights Campaign Foundation announced more stringent criterion for itsCorporate Equality Index. To receive a perfect score in the future, companieswould have to prohibit philanthropic giving to non-religious organizations thathave a written policy of anti-gay discrimination, or permit its chapters,affiliates, or troops to do so.

TheHuman Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working toachieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring andengaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizensand realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.
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