Los Angeles Area Council Announces Membership Standards Recommendation
(firmenpresse) - LOS ANGELES, CA -- (Marketwired) -- 04/23/13 -- As part of the national Boy Scouts of America's review of its Membership Standards policy concerning homosexual members and leaders, the Los Angeles Area Council has engaged in an extensive process of reaching out to the local Scouting community to seek their input on the issue. This effort has included surveys and focus groups in which Scouting volunteers and parents were invited to share their opinions in an open constructive dialogue. The range of perspectives on this issue covers a wide spectrum of beliefs, and the Council leadership respects those deeply held convictions.
For years, the Los Angeles Area Council has followed a policy of nondiscrimination, including nondiscrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. The Council believes that the current discussion on "Membership Standards" should be viewed not as a referendum on views of homosexuality, but rather a referendum on tolerance and respect of the differences in beliefs among the range of religious denominations which participate in Scouting as chartered organizations, and of the many persons who are passionate about Scouting, including volunteer Scouters and parents. Tolerance and respect are core values of Scouting, and Scouting is ecumenical in that all religious denominations are embraced and their beliefs are universally respected. The current policy on Membership Standards is the only exception to that general principle, since some denominations are inclusive of homosexuals.
Grounded in the Los Angeles Area Council's commitment to tolerance, respect for others, and nondiscrimination, the Council has submitted the following recommendation and resolution to the National organization of the Boy Scouts of America, proposing that Boy Scouts of America adopt an express policy of nondiscrimination on the basis of a person's sexual orientation:
The Los Angeles Area Council's recommendation concerning the Membership Standards of the Boy Scouts of America is that BSA adopt an express policy of nondiscrimination on the basis of a person's sexual orientation. The focus should be on a person's conduct, measured against BSA's standards of conduct, not a person's status as homosexual or heterosexual. Thus, we recommend as a resolution: "Membership and adult leadership positions in the Boy Scouts of America are open to persons regardless of their sexual orientation, subject to compliance with Scouting's standards of conduct."
As reflected in the Scout Oath and Law, BSA has established high standards of conduct for its members and adult leaders. Sexual promiscuity, inappropriate sexual behavior, inappropriate discussion of matters of sexuality, the use of Scouting as a forum for discussion of, or advocacy of particular views with respect to, matters of sexuality, and/or overt sexual behavior -- regardless of sexual orientation -- are inconsistent with these standards of conduct.
The current BSA policy can be easily modified, consistent with its historical standards and principles, to expressly implement a policy of nondiscrimination and continue a focus on inappropriate conduct, by changing the current language "While the BSA does not proactively inquire about the sexual orientation of... volunteers, or members, we do not grant membership to individuals who are open or avowed homosexuals or who engage in behavior that would become a distraction to the mission of the BSA," "Membership and adult leadership positions are open to persons regardless of their sexual orientation, subject to compliance with Scouting's standards of conduct. BSA does not inquire about the sexual orientation of its members and adult leaders, nor does it inquire about the sexual orientation of prospective members and adult leaders in the course of recruitment and registration."
The Council is pleased that the resolution now announced by the National Executive Board of the Boy Scouts of America proposes revision of the youth membership standard, eliminating any exclusion from membership on the basis of sexual orientation, but is concerned that the National resolution stops short of being nondiscriminatory regarding adult leadership. Thus, the Council will continue to press its proposed resolution.
Regardless of the range of policy changes likely to be considered, the Council believes that its policy of nondiscrimination should remain in force, as well as the following resolution adopted by the Council's Board of Directors in 2001:
"Advocacy of ANY sexually explicit behavior is inappropriate in the Boy Scouts. The Los Angeles Area Council Boy Scouts of America has adopted a policy of zero tolerance for inappropriate sexual advocacy or behavior of any kind within its Boy Scout Program. The Boy Scout program does not provide sex education or counseling. Scouts should look to their parents or guardians, religious leaders and health care providers for guidance in this area."
Further, the Council will retain in force its clearly articulated policies concerning Youth Protection that are critical for creating a safe and nourishing environment for the children who participate in our programs.
The Vision of the Los Angeles Council is to be "the pre-eminent, values based, character building, leadership training youth and adult serving organization transforming today's youth into tomorrow's best citizen-leaders." The current National Boy Scouts of America policy on Membership Standards constrains the Council from achieving that objective, and hence the Council believes that the policy should be changed to a nondiscriminatory and conduct-based policy. The Council hopes that an amendment to the resolution announced by the National Executive Board will accomplish that for both adults and youth who participate in the important character-building program offered by the Boy Scouts.
Victor Zuniga
(213) 413-4400 ext.321
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Datum: 23.04.2013 - 23:45 Uhr
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