HRC to Boy Scouts of America: Adopt National Non-Discrimination Standards, Policy Proposal Not Good Enough

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FORIMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 31, 2013



HRC to Boy Scouts of America: Adopt NationalNon-Discrimination Standards, Policy Proposal Not Good Enough
HRC announces more stringent criterion toearn 100 percent on Corporate Equality Index – companies giving to BSA will notbe eligible for perfect score  Washington –In the face of mounting national opposition to institutional discrimination,the leadership of the Boy Scouts of America is debating a policy which wouldend its nationwide ban on gay Scouts and Scout leaders. However, this policywould replace the ban with a system in which sponsoring organizations candecide to institute their own bans on gay Scouts and troop leaders.

HRCPresident Chad Griffin made the following statement:

“The policyproposed will not result in the full inclusion of gay Scouts or gay Scoutleaders across the country. While it is good news that the onerous national banwill come to an end, it’s not acceptable to abdicate nondiscriminationstandards to local units. It’s akin to a national restaurant chain saying thatit will not discriminate at its corporate headquarters, but allow localrestaurants to discriminate at will.

Make nomistake, this policy creates a separate but equal system where some troopswelcome all members and others still turn gay Scouts away. This problem willonly be solved when BSA proactively institutes a national nondiscriminationpolicy that prohibits anti-gay discrimination so that no young American orfamily is excluded from the proud tradition of Scouting.”

The HumanRights Campaign Foundation today announced more stringent criterion for theCorporate Equality Index (CEI).  To receive a perfect score, 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.

HRC’s recentsurvey of LGBT youth reinforces the need to remove obstacles to fullparticipation in extracurricular activities: 64% of LGBT teens (compared tojust 47% of non-LGBT teens) report that they never participate in afterschoolor other recreational activities.  Exclusion from Scouting negativelyimpacts the overall well-being and sense of community connection among LGBTyouth.

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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