Boy Scouts of America votes to ease ban on gay members

[August]

Originally Posted by Tchocky

There's an important distinction to be drawn here between gender and sexuality. Segregation of gender happens all the time with children, because boys and girls grow up differently in terms of development and biology and such. Segregation of sexuality doesn't and shouldn't happen. A gay boy* grows up the same as a straight boy, segregating this out further just causes problems, as far as I can see.

Biology and development do not require more distinction than slightly different plumbing arraignments. Sexuality is the primary driver for segregating the genders, especially with teenagers. Anything else is artificially induced in relation to that.

Not at all, but the BSA is directly involving itself by excluding on the basis of sexual preference. Of course, the discussion now about changing that rule brings it all up again, but that should all quiet down once it's decided.

Unfortunately that takes cooperation from both sides. Regardless of the decision there will be continued reason to keep talking about it.

There have been plenty of companies withdrawing donations because of the discriminatory policy, the scouts are out of money either way, perhaps.

More than perhaps, I am sure you are correct. The gay rights issue has extended to just about every facet of American life. It's almost impossible not to take a side anymore. But what is the percentage of corporate support vs religious? Something like 20/80%? What's gonna hurt more?

...but if basic homophobia turns out to be the only thing holding it together then I'm not sure if it's worth keeping. Six of one

A Pyrrhic victory at best I think. I'm sure the churches and various other backers will continue with their own versions of Scouting. It's just the national non-secular organization that will loose out, and maybe it's time for that anyways. The nation is tearing itself apart on so many other issues it might as well tear on this one as well.