City (Berkeley) and Scouts square off over gay rights (it's freepin time)

berkeleydaily ^

[drjimmy]

I think it's the "don't tell" part that is the problem. In other words, while the Sea Scouts don't inquire about sexual orientation, they would be compelled to follow the Boy Scouts rule and boot a member should they learn he is gay some other way. That would be against the city's antidiscrimination law.

[ppaul]

"Scouting" for boys.

[RonF]

If this man is, as he advertised, kicked out of Scouting, then he no longer has the right to wear the BSA uniform under any circumstances. Additionally, it is against BSA regulations to wear/use the uniform to further any political or social agenda, especially at a non-Scouting function.

Hm.

Trustworthy

Obedient

[RonF]

This Sea Scout Ship should have the same rights, and pay the same fees, as any other not-for-profit/educational group does at the Marina. If other such groups pay $ to dock, so should the Ship. If others don't, then the Ship shouldn't. Regardless of their membership criteria.

Believe me, the BSA's lawyers will take this one all the way to the Supreme Court. The BSA depends on the use of Federal and State parks, schools, military bases, and other public facilities all over the United States. If limitations could be placed on them due to their membership policies, they would have immense problems in many areas.

Fortunately,

1) there's this little thing called the Equal Access Act, and

2) when was the last time you heard of the BSA's lawyers losing a court case?