From: Heather Wright Subject: PFLAG Assails Court Decision to Exclude Gay Scouts & Leaders Date: Wed, 28 Jun 2000 13:04:03 -0400 * * * PFLAG Press Release * * * FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 28, 2000 Contact: Amy Kobeta (202) 467-8180 x 228 PFLAG ASSAILS COURT DECISION TO EXCLUDE GAY SCOUTS & LEADERS Washington, DC - Disappointed by the United States Supreme Court's vote against gays participating in the Boy Scouts of America (BSA), members of Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) spoke out today in support of James Dale. PFLAG, along with several other national organizations that are dedicated to the best interests of youth, had filed an amici curiae on Dale's behalf. "We of PFLAG, who are the parents, families and friends of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people nationwide, are disappointed and angry that our loved ones are now prevented access to a place in the ranks of Scouting," said Paul Beeman, President of PFLAG. "I was once proud to have been a Boy Scout, counseled in Boy Scout camps, and organized two troops. But since my own gay son daughter would now be excluded, I can no longer support their work." In BSA v. James Dale, the Supreme Court voted 5-4 to deny gay and bisexual youth and leaders the opportunity to participate in BSA, one of America's long-standing traditions. In the amici curiae, PFLAG argued that excluding gays and bisexuals from BSA perpetuates hatred and violence toward gays and bisexuals; and that BSA would best serve our communities by teaching openness, honesty, and acceptance. "Discrimination against gays by leading organizations in the community such as BSA is directly and indirectly responsible for creating a climate of harassment and violence...[T]he hatred, shame, violence, and self-destructive behavior caused by BSA's exclusion of gays violates the traditional Boy Scout values of honesty, friendliness, kindness and fair play, and BSA's stated mission to nurture the development of all boys." Kirsten Kingdon, PFLAG Executive Director, called on the BSA to live up to its time-honored values and listen to those within and without the BSA. "If the BSA had successfully embodied its ideals of kindness and tolerance toward all, Matthew Shepard might still be alive today. One of his killers, an Eagle Scout, might have learned that it is not OK to hate people because of their sexual orientation." PFLAG Board member, Gary Watts, noted that BSA's religious justifications to exclude gay and bisexual members are just excuses. "The Mormon Church threatened to withdraw from the Boy Scouts if the organization was forced to include gays in leadership positions. The message from Church leadership is unmistakable: gays are not acceptable. The Church's position taken to its logical conclusion suggests that no gay person, regardless of his qualification, should serve in a leadership position." Watts is an original member of Family Fellowship, an organization that provides support and education for Mormon family and friends of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people. Family Fellowship has over 1,400 families in their membership. The National 4-H Council; National Education Association; National Youth Advocacy Coalition; Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network; National Association for Multicultural Education; and the Matthew Shepard Foundation joined PFLAG in the amici curiae. Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) promotes the health and well-being of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered persons, their families and friends through support, education and advocacy. Serving nearly 80,000 members and supporters, PFLAG's 444 chapters and affiliates are located in communities across the United States. # # # 1726 M Street, N.W., Suite 400, Washington, D.C. 20036 (202) 467-8180 Fax: (202) 467-8194 E-mail info@pflag.org Web: http://pflag.org ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ to unsubscribe from PFLAG's Email Alert List, send an email, subject line "unsubscribe" to info@pflag.org ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~