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.

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| 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  |
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