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Tag: Boy Scouts of America

All the latest breaking news on the Boy Scouts of America. Browse THEGAYUK’s complete collection of news, articles and commentary on the Boy Scouts of America.

  • American Boy Scouts to allow trans kids

    Trans children will now be permitted to join the Boy Scouts of America.

    Boy Scouts of America
    CREDIT: ©-smontgom65-Depositphotos

    Transgender children who identify as male will now be able to join the Boy Scouts of America, thanks to a policy change, which does not require the child to have male registered on their birth certificates. The organisation, founded in 1910 only allowed children that had “male” written on their birth certificates to join the organisation. The new policy has an immediate start after the group found that the approach of determining the eligibility of entry via a person’s gender was “sufficient”.

    In a statement The Boy Scouts of America said,

    “For more than 100 years, the Boy Scouts of America, along with schools, youth sports and other youth organizations, have ultimately deferred to the information on an individual’s birth certificate to determine eligibility for our single-gender programs.

    “However, that approach is no longer sufficient as communities and state laws are interpreting gender identity differently, and these laws vary widely from state to state.”

    Children in the UK are not subject to a gender policy and are welcome to join the organisation regardless of their identity.

     

  • Boy Scouts End Ban On Gay Leaders In USA

    The Boy Scouts of America have voted to end a blanket ban on gay adult leaders, employees and volunteers.

    Voting 45 in favour to 12 against the change, a long-established blanket ban on gay employees and volunteers working for the Boy Scouts of America has been lifted, stating that,

    “No adult applicant for registration as an employee or non-unit-serving volunteer, who otherwise meets the requirements of the Boy Scouts of America, may be denied registration on the basis of sexual orientation.”

    However, the new policy will still allow church-sponsored groups to still discriminate by allowing the recruitment process to restrict candidates to those who share their doctrine.

    The Mormon Church have said that despite the caveat, which could be open to discriminating against LGBT leaders, that it might leave the organisation in any case. Its clear stance on discriminating against LGBT people might open the floodgates for our Church-sponsored groups, like the Roman Catholic Church to do the same.

    A statement released by Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints said,

    “The Church has always welcomed all boys to its Scouting units regardless of sexual orientation,

    “However, the admission of openly gay leaders is inconsistent with the doctrines of the Church and what have traditionally been the values of the Boy Scouts of America.”

    GLAAD President & CEO Sarah Kate Ellis said,

    “Finally, hardworking and devoted gay adult leaders can serve openly and honestly in Scouting without fear of rejection or retribution,

    “Today’s historic vote will strengthen Scouting and sends a message of acceptance that will resonate for years to come, as future Scout leaders are judged by their ability to lead and not their sexual orientation.”