The Boy Scouts of America is set to make a momentous decision — one that could
make or break this proud leadership-and-moral-fortitude-building organization.
The BSA’s Executive Board was poised to vote on a resolution to reverse the
longstanding Boy Scout policy against including “open and avowed” homosexuals.
A swift and firm response from scouting families and the public caused the BSA
to postpone its decision until next month’s business meeting when the full 1400-
member National Council will vote on the proposed change.

In a landmark ruling in 2000, the United States Supreme Court affirmed the BSA’s
right to set its own membership standards. Since that time, challenges to the policy
haven’t stopped. In fact they’ve increased. In some instances, certain packs, troops,
and councils have lost financial support and even been evicted from facilities for
adhering to current policy. But the decision in Boy Scouts of America vs. Dale, has
protected the scouts from lawsuits filed under various state and local quote “non-
discrimination” laws.

If accepted, the proposed change would have moved decisions about allowing open
homosexual scouts and scoutmasters to the local level. Packs and councils deciding
to retain the current policy would have to battle challenges to that policy apart from
the national organization and without the full protection of the Dale Supreme Court
ruling.

More than 70 percent of Boy Scout troops are chartered or in some way affiliated
with churches or religious groups. Challenges to their right to continue these
arrangements will be numerous and expensive.

I spoke with one Boy Scout state executive who interviewed lots of scouting parents
and found the vast majority to be in favor of keeping the current policy that excludes
open homosexuals. One of the couples he talked with is actually gay. But they
strongly oppose the policy change. In fact, they think it’s a terrible idea.

Boy Scout leaders are now in “listening mode.” It’s a good time for Americans who
care about this, especially scouting families to influence them.

Christian groups are speaking into this decision. When the resolution emerged
back in January, a swift response by Family Research Council started the tsunami
that caused the BSA to slow down. FRC used national media appearances and it’s
own communications tools and networks to funnel public and Boy Scout parental
outrage to the correct people at the BSA. When the BSA’s phone lines were
overwhelmed, the emails kept flowing in. FRC and 40 other organizations ran an
ad in USA Today, a strong message to the BSA to retain their policy that has served
to affirm the importance of high moral conduct in young men for 103 years. FRC

now has a website that lists suggestions and gives explicit instructions for folks who
want to help the BSA make the right decision. It’s at frc.org/BSA Now is a good time
for Americans who care about this to speak out.