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Friday, October 13, 2000

Scouts' policy on gays divides public nationwide
Some communities confront backlash of school boards, corporations, charities against group
By David Crary
Associated Press
NEW YORK - For 90 years, the Boy Scouts have helped foster togetherness and civic pride. Over the past few months, in communities across America, they have become a catalyst for conflict.
   In June, the Supreme Court upheld the Scouts' ban on gay Scout leaders. Denouncing that policy as discriminatory, numerous school boards, city councils, corporations and charities have halted or reduced support for the Scouts.
   Yet this fall there is increasing evidence of a backlash against that backlash.
   Parents, business executives and conservative political groups are speaking out against those who are retaliating against the Scouts.
   "People are absolutely outraged that they would consider attacking the Boy Scouts," said Janet Folger, a conservative activist in Florida with the Center for Reclaiming America.
   "This time they've gone too far, and it's going to hurt them," she said of the Fort Lauderdale City Commission's decision to cancel a grant to the Scouts.
   "We're going to be looking to remedy this assault through the electoral process."
   In Tempe, Ariz., the City Council reversed an attempt to keep city workers' donations from going to the Scouts through the United Way.
   The initial decision prompted a flurry of angry calls and e-mails, and the city's openly gay mayor, Neil Giuliano, is now targeted by a recall campaign.
   Emotions are equally strong on the other side.
   This week, the Minneapolis school board said its schools can no longer sponsor Scout troops; more than two dozen troops with about 900 members must find new sponsors.
   In Denver, a rabbi told his congregation he is protesting the ban on gays by returning scouting awards he earned as a youth.
   "I have always respected the Scouts, but they have made a terrible mistake," said Steven Foster.
   "There are conflicting feelings around the country on this," said Eric Ferrero, a spokesman for the American Civil Liberties Union. "There's a lot of gray area, a lot of people in flux, trying to figure out what this means for their community and their children."
   Gregg Shields, spokesman for the Boy Scouts of America, noted that presidential candidates Al Gore and George W. Bush have voiced support for the Scouts, and that federal officials ruled the Scouts could continue to hold jamborees on government land.
   Rep. Tom Tancredo, R-Colo., has gone further, introducing what he calls the Scouts Honor Act.
   It seeks to protect the Scouts against punitive measures by any entity that receives federal funds.
   "I don't think anybody expects radical change on the political level," said the ACLU's Ferrero.
   "The Boy Scouts have spent 90 years being thought of as part of the fabric of America. That doesn't change in 3 ½ months."

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