Scouting is supposed to stand for the finest qualities of humanity: self-reliance, creativity, and an appreciation of nature. Most of all, Boy Scouts are taught how to act as responsible, respectful citizens.
This is why the Boy Scouts’ policy of excluding members based on their sexual orientation is so upsetting. It flies in the face of the very values that the scouting tradition professes to teach. It's unacceptable for the current leaders of the Boy Scouts to disgrace this once-proud American institution with their personal bigotry.
Right now, SB 323, sponsored by Sen. Ricardo Lara (D-Los Angeles), aims to give the Boy Scouts a nudge in the right direction by eliminating tax exemptions for groups that practice discrimination.
Please ask the California Legislature to help pass SB 323. California should lead on this issue if Congress won’t. Ending this tax break is the right thing to do, for any youth group in California which discriminates against members based on sexual orientation.