Seems to me if the Boston Minuteman Council wants to turn their organization into a haven for perverts, queers and faggots, the national BSA should exorcise them.
Posted on 08/12/2002 9:10:33 PM PDT by quietolong
Homosexual Emcees Boston Boy Scout Fundraiser
By Matt Pyeatt
CNSNews.com Staff Writer
June 12, 2002
(CNSNews.com) - The largest Boy Scout chapter in Massachusetts this week took more steps to distance itself from the national scouting policy that prohibits homosexuals from serving in leadership positions.
The Boston Minuteman Council introduced a new merit badge for "diversity" and asked an openly homosexual Boston radio personality to emcee its annual fundraiser. Last year, the same chapter adopted a "nondiscrimination" policy, a slap at the long held practice by the national organization, the Boy Scouts of America (BSA), to ban homosexual scout leaders.
The U.S. Supreme Court two years ago declared the BSA ban on homosexuals to be legal, however, the scouts have been under constant attack for their policy ever since.
During Monday's fundraiser, the Boston Minuteman Council announced the creation of a new "diversity awareness award badge," and invited openly homosexual WBZ radio personality David Brudnoy to serve as master of ceremonies.
Brudnoy said there were many heterosexuals who could have performed the ceremony, but this was a way for the Boy Scouts to strengthen their nondiscrimination policy.
"There are a lot of straight guys out there who could do this," Brudnoy said, according to the Associated Press. "[The council] said, 'we want to signal, through you, our nondiscrimination policy.'"
In developing its "nondiscrimination" policy, the Boston Minuteman Council stated its pride over the "diversity of our members."
"Through the Scout Oath and Law, we pledge to respect all people and to defend the rights of others. Bias, intolerance and unlawful discrimination are unacceptable within the ranks of the Boston Minuteman Council," the policy states.
It also declares that the council will serve its members "without regard to color, race, religion, ethnic background, sexual orientation, or economic status."
Gregg Shields, spokesperson for BSA, told CNSNews.com the Boston Boy Scouts have not violated any national policies. However, he said the chapter's recent actions "are confusing to the public."
Shields said the national policy prohibiting homosexuals "remains the same, that an avowed homosexual, atheist or agnostic is not an appropriate role model for the Scout Oath and Law," Shields said.
"We expect the Minuteman Council to reaffirm their commitment to these policies," Shields said, adding that national scout leaders were planning to speak with members of the Boston chapter about their recent actions.
"We need to have a discussion with them," Shields said. "We're not going to react to media reports; we need to talk to these people about what happened."
Brock Bigsby, an executive with the Boston Minuteman Council, did not return phone calls seeking comment for this story. Bigsby did, however, tell the Associated Press that the national organization was powerless in stopping the new diversity badge from being awarded.
"Local councils do have the flexibility to establish awards like this to meet the needs of our kids. That's where our focus is," Bigsby told the AP. "Scouting traditionally has been a very diverse activity."r
I notice they didn't report on whether the membership has increased or declined, since this new policy and they had no comments from the parents of the boys.
Seems to me if the Boston Minuteman Council wants to turn their organization into a haven for perverts, queers and faggots, the national BSA should exorcise them.
William C. Van Faasen, President of the Boston Minuteman Council, announced the creation of a new diversity awareness award, which is designed to recognize Boston-area Scouts, leaders, and community organizations who promote diversity in their communities.
I can't find the actual requirements on there anywhere, so there's no telling exactly what this is all about. I've sent an e-mail to the council looking for them; we'll see if I get a reply. However, if there are any FReepers in MA, perhaps someone could drop by the Minuteman Council's HQ, pick up a copy, and post them? They're at 199 State Street; I seem to recall that's near Government Center, but I could be wrong.
I was kicked out of the Cub Scouts - for eating brownies! ;)
On the other hand, their policies with regard to accepting homosexual members are very definitely subject to review by National, and you can bet that National will. Minuteman Council looks like they're ready to stretch the definition of "avowed" about as far as National will let them.
Understand the structure of a local Council. There's a volunteer organization that has the actual Council charter from National. It's ultimate governing body is the Council's Executive Board, and the day-to-day operations are headed by the Executive Committee. Both are headed by the Council President. They, in turn, hire the professional staff from a list of people trained by National and certified by them as fit to be professional leadership.
What National can do is first visit the Minuteman Council's E-Board and work out with they what they're doing and intend to do. If National and Minuteman Councils can work out something that's mutually agreeable, then fine. If not, National has the option of refusing to renew Minuteman Council's charter. At that point, a whole lot of confusion is thrown into the continuing registration of all the units and members, the ownership and operation of the Council properties (I imagine that they'd revert to National, but I've never seen a Council charter, so I don't know for sure), etc., etc. National will try to avoid this as much as possible. But it may not be possible.
I'm shocked! Shocked, I tell you!
That's bad enough. Worse are the rumors that were rife at the time of the Monica scandal and impeachment that Frank was blackmailing fellow members of Congress on the basis of his knowledge of their sexual foibles. I wonder just who furnished the information that was used to blackmail Jeffords into jumping.
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