To: scouts-l@vm1.nodak.edu Subject: SF and BSA Organization: Computer Security Dept., The Aerospace Corp., El Segundo, CA Date: Tue, 17 Sep 91 13:59:18 PDT From: kmeyer On the front page of today's USA Today there is a story about the SF School ban. It says that BSA won't allow homosexual members or leaders despite a ban by the San Francisco and Oakland school boards which bans Scout programs during school hours. There is some implication in the article that NYC may do the same thing, though that is not clear. According to USA Today, BSA spokesman Blake Lewis says "Homosexuality is inconsistent with the Scout oath of being morally straight." An organization is being started by a former scout in Brookville, OH, called "Forgotten Scouts." To address two questions which have come up: (1) BSA's program for gays, atheists, and girls was a separate program. "Straight boys" would not be allowed exposure to "gay boys." The United Way and the school board said this was a nice gesture, but still discriminatory and unacceptable. (2) I think this is an excellent example of democracy at work. The majority of San Francisco residents are opposed to discrimination against gays, and have voiced this opinion repeatedly to their elected officials over the last 10-20 years. Their elected officials are taking a course of action that they feel is consistent with majority opinion. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- | The opinions expressed above are my own and do not necessarily | | represent those of The Aerospace Corporation, El Segundo, CA. | | | | Kraig R. Meyer kmeyer@aerospace.aero.org | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------