by Diana McDermott ‘13

“…The Boy Scouts of America does not accept homosexuals as members or as leaders, whether in volunteer or professional capacities,” states the Boy Scouts of America (BSA), in their Position Statement on Homosexuality released in June 1991. 

In a society in which television programs like “Glee” and “Modern Family” are so highly rated, it is surprising that the BSA still does not accept homosexual individuals. The highly controversial subject of whether or not the BSA has the right to discriminate based on sexual orientation swept the nation in the 1990s when this statement reinforcing years of a traditional practice was released. This issue has come up yet again in the news in the past few months in the wake of several legal conflicts.

The controversy reemerged when the state of Pennsylvania’s gay friendly laws clashed with the views of the BSA. The BSA sued when it was forced by the state of Pennsylvania’s restricted funding to create a non-discriminatory policy towards gays. The Supreme Court previously ruled in 2000 in BSA v. Dale that the BSA had the right to discriminate against homosexuals. The same outcome occurred in this most recent Pennsylvania case. The Supreme Court again stated that the BSA had the right to discriminate based on sexual orientation because they are a private association protected under the free speech clause of the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. 

It is hard to believe that with all of the recent, negative press in the media about the BSA that the organization would not simply go through the easy process of changing a few words in their policy. However, the BSA is sticking to its intolerant long-standing beliefs no matter how many charitable organizations, municipalities and private donors have stopped funding the association. 

Scott Cozza held the rank of Eagle Scout, which is the highest rank a Boy Scout can achieve. He decided to earn his Citizenship in the Nation badge by challenging the BSA on its anti-gay policy. This small project soon blossomed into his life mission. He is now vice president of an association called Scouting For All. He and his father, the president of the association, rally the support of people from all walks of life together to form a resistance against the BSA’s intolerant homosexuality policy. 

Scouting For All brings up the valid point that being a Boy Scout and being gay have nothing to do with each other and are completely separate issues. Being gay doesn’t hinder your ability to cook on an open fire, tie square knots, sell popcorn, camp in the wilderness, or participate in other Boy Scout activities. The BSA was started to turn young men into model world citizens. Therefore, why would something like the sexual orientation of each individual BSA member even matter? 

It’s not 1910 anymore, which is originally when the BSA was started. Back then, society prevented many people considered to be “different” from being included in various aspects of life. The world is a different place than it was 100 years ago, and policies need to reflect changing societal attitudes. 

Similar organizations, such as the Girl Scouts of the USA, accept homosexual members. Additionally, the Pentagon is considering repealing the military’s standing policy, “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell,” which would allow gays to openly serve in the military. If all of these organizations are changing their ways, the BSA should too.