Boy Scout council 'devastated' by United Way cuts -program for inner-city children lost

philly.com ^

[chance33_98]

Boy Scout council 'devastated' by United Way cuts

The board chairman of the local group said a program for inner-city children would be lost.

By Linda K. Harris Inquirer Staff Writer

The board chairman of a regional Boy Scouts council said yesterday that the group was distraught over the loss of funding from the United Way.

On Thursday, the United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania voted to cancel the second half of a $400,862 grant for the Cradle of Liberty Council because the council reneged on its adoption of a nondiscrimination policy against gays. United Way also cut the second half of a $17,901 grant to the Boy Scouts' Chester County Council, also because of discrimination against gays.

"We're absolutely devastated by this," said David H. Lipson Jr., Cradle of Liberty's board chairman. "We met with United Way. We told them clearly that we're trying to bring about change. It's evolutionary rather than revolutionary."

The United Way had been working with Cradle of Liberty representatives for two years on the issue of discrimination against gays. The United Way has a policy of nondiscrimination based on sexual orientation and does not provide funds to organizations that discriminate.

The Boy Scouts of America won a U.S. Supreme Court decision in 2000 that upheld the group's decision to fire an openly gay scout leader.

Since that time, the United Way has targeted its Boy Scouts grant money exclusively for the scouts' Learning for Life Program, which was organized in the schools. Anyone could participate.

In its public statement released after the announcement of the funding cut, the United Way said it had "determined that there was not sufficient organizational separation between the Learning for Life program and the overall Boy Scouts organization."

Lipson, however, mourned the loss of the program for inner-city children.

"It's character-building training for kids, how to be a better citizen," Lipson said. "I don't know how we're going to do this. The program cost $600,000 a year, and United Way gave us $400,000."

Jennifer Hathaway, spokeswoman for United Way, said yesterday that the response to the agency's move had been low-key, partially because United Way president Christine James-Brown had spoken to many people in the community before the decision was made.

"The corporations locally said this was aligned with our policies of nondiscrimination," Hathaway said.

The Cradle of Liberty Council voted unanimously in May to adopt an antidiscrimination policy regarding sexual orientation. The move was directly related to negotiations with United Way and was an attempt to bring the local council into compliance with United Way's nondiscrimination policies.

But when the national Boy Scouts of America organization learned of the local council's decision, it immediately threatened to revoke the Cradle of Liberty Council's charter and to replace the board.

The local council succumbed to the pressure and ousted a South Philadelphia Life Scout, Gregory Lattera, who announced he was gay.

"The irony is that we are a council that is working to bring about change in the Boy Scouts," Lipson said. "It can't be done in a day. We've learned that."

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[AdamSelene235]

Did they offer to restore funding in exchange for an anal sex merit badge?

[demkicker]

OKAY FREEPERS, DON'T YOU THINK IT'S ABOUT TIME WE HAVE A FREEPER FUNDRAISER FOR THE BOY SCOUTS ON THIS SITE? LET'S DO IT!

[templar]

The United Way has a great deal of power. Way too much power, IMO. That's why I quit giving to them about 20 or so years ago. I usually try to persuade others to do the same, but Hey! ... give where you feel your hearts' intentions are best fulfilled.

[JOE6PAK]

Lets have a FREEPER FUNDRAISER FOR THE GAY SCOUTS to leave the planet.

[chance33_98]

I'm with you on that!

[Conservababe]

The United Way, once again, shows it's true colors.

I quit giving to this extortion organized charity in the late sixties.

Yes, management would call us in, after pledging our pay to the UW, and then tell us we would have to sign over a percentage of wages to them. It was not voluntary, as our raise review reflected our contributions.

But, even though they have gone underground and built a new fundraising image, there are still mouses in the workplace that still fall for their agenda and extortion fundraising methods.

[AD from SpringBay]

Up the United Way and their homosexual tyrany funding practices. Give to your local Boy Scouts.

[Arpege92]

Nothing like breaking the hearts of little boys in the name of Political Correctness! "United Way" needs a new name...how's about "Divided Way" or "Our way or the highway"!!!!

[nmh]

I suppose it's better to have boys sexually molested by adults on the prowl for innocence.

[I still care]

I hope that, instead of apologizing, the scouts put all over the airwaves advertisements how United way pulled all their support for inner city children because of the gay lobby.

Don't back down, don't apologize.

It should be United Way that should be nervous for their income for what they have done.

Give them hell. If I was a donator to UW, and I heard that on the radio, I would pull my donation in a minute.

[nmh]

Could someone find out the address for this BSA in financial distress so people could send them some money. They must be feeling rather demoralized with discrimination against homo perversion.

[I_Love_My_Husband]

ping

[Lancey Howard]

I have absolutely no respect for anybody who gives so much as one dime to those scumbags at United Way. And the "I-have-to-contribute-or-my-company-will-get-mad" cowards are the worst of all.

[Rightwing Conspiratr1]

So is the United Way going to return the donations to those who thought that money was going to the Boy Scouts? Hmmm

[Kuksool]

The United Way "earns" its revenue by being the Middle Men for various charities. Other than that, the organization is totally useless. Our charity donations are better served if we give directly to the charities, instead of the United Way. In this case, screw the United Way, and support the Scouts.

[GOPJ]

Let's start a conservative version of "United Way" and give our tax free gifts to organizations backing conservative causes. Why beg them to work with us?

[GOPJ]

Let's start a conservative version of "United Way" and give our tax free gifts to organizations backing conservative causes. Why beg them to work with us?

[I got the rope]

Count me in.

[ScrtAccess]

Okay, let me see if I have this straight....

The BSA used a particular argument in court to say they are a private organization and can exclude those they don't believe fit thier values. They won.

Now, they want to use property and funds that those groups they exluded help pay for, and now because doors are closing thats a problem?

Not long ago someone on Free Republic said choices have consequences, or at least they used to. Seems to me those choices still have consequences. I'm only sorry that it is the kids that have to pay the price of the consequences.