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Government considers watered down same-sex marriage bill to minimise Tory rebellion
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Tory MP Gerald Howarth: 'There are plenty in the aggressive homosexual community who want more than just same-sex marriage'
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Robert in S. Kensington 679
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The USA BSA need to look to their neighbors in more developed Canada and UK.
How terribly, terribly mean-spirited of the Boy Scouts of America! In this day and age,
I cannot fathom how an organisation can be so archaic and hateful.
Shame on you, Mr. Brock! Shame on you, Mr. Perry!
“I cannot fathom how an organisation can be so archaic and hateful. ”
I can.
Religion.
An organisation that requires you to pledge allegiance to any God is by definition bigoted, archaic and oh surprise, hateful too. Anywhere, every time.
Wherever there’s religion hate follows
The old pre-1978 Boy Scouts of America did not kick out gay scouts. That change in policy came about in 1978 when the organization was taken over by right wing fundamentalist Texas christians and LSD mormons! And forget about the language in the pledge “morally straight”. Prior to 1978 that language, though it existed in the pledge then did not in anyway have a connotation of “straight” (meaning heterosexual). That is just another example of right-wing christian fundamentalist revisionism.
Hmm, clearly the US scout movement now needs to rethink its direction, unless it wants a rebellion… or hundreds of eagle scout badges returned…
Nice one Ryan, and thank you Ellen!
Too late! Hundreds of Eagle Scout badges already returned!
Yes, that made an unpleasant story more bearable! Good to know there are so many decent Americans!
So proud to have ellen as a spokeswoman for equall rights
Thank you to Ryan’s mum for starting the pettition
Thank you ryan for being you
Quite right – having the courage to get this into the public domain is admirable, and it is a powerful way to expose and fight bigotry.
Aww, Ryan, that’s so nice. Enjoy your time at college!
*hugs*
The refusal of the Boy Scout organization to change their exclusionary policy on openly gay and/or atheist kids is due to the major influence and financial control of the Mormon Church and, to a somewhat lesser extent, the Catholic church, making it unlikely to change very soon.
See: http://atheism.about.com/b/2003/11/21/mormons-taking-over-scouting.htm
Had to be some religion in there. Wait for the deniers to complain now religion has been mentioned.
Apalling treatment.
I’m glad that there is a relatively happy ending to all this.
The Ellen interview:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGrz6TJk3dA
I don’t know why anyone is surprised, although I am, to be honest, dismayed over the situation. The Boy Scouts of America is a religious organization, and because of that, their innate bigotry is protected by our constitution, the same as any church, synagogue, or mosque, all of whom are free to be as bigoted as they wish.
Anyone who actually thinks that freedom rings in this country simply has not read history.
And, yes, this is indeed sad!
growing up .. we didnt have a boy scout troop in my area .. and I am glad … it was bad enough to have the baptist church .. but I grew up to be a open proud gay man .. and when I read stories like this I am sadden that a organization could be so bigoted ..
when you mix religion with anything in the USA find for the most part how narrow minded those who say they follow Jesus Christ are .. congrats on the scholarship .. and thanks to Ellen for not being just another talk show ..
I do hope all those who watch her show and respect equal rights for the gblt community will vote in nov and spread the word . to vote Obama ..
Whatever happened to anti discrimination laws on the basis of sexuality??? Don’t you have such laws in the USA. ??? Coming from Australia where such laws have been around for decades I am amazed that the scouting association in USA has not been brought to task over this blatant act of discrimination. Get with the real world America
Sexual orientation is not specifically protected from discrimination under US law, particularly in a “private organization”. Time for a change!
The first line of their beloved Constitution is anti-discriminatory, yet Native Americans, Blacks, Jews, gays and women have all suffered from bigotry and hatred, often in the name of “patriotism”. Unbelievable!
The Salvation Army is the same way. You’d think they’d want donations and volunteers. Well not if you’re gay.