To: President Donald Trump, The United States House of Representatives, and The United States Senate
Revoke the BSA Congressional Charter
Tell Congress it is time to revoke the charter granted to the BSA in 1916. It is time to give other organizations who are non-discriminatory the opportunity to create similar groups to assist ALL young males of this nation learn how to become productive, contributing and upstanding citizens of this great nation.
Why is this important?
As a former den leader and pack secretary/treasurer who was kicked out for being gay back in 1998, I have followed the BSA's position on gay membership closely. In the case of Dale v BSA that was argued before the US Supreme Court, the BSA successfully petitioned the court to recognize it as a private religious organization.
This decision effectively permits the BSA to discriminate against whomever it chooses. And as much as people may not want to accept it, that is their constitutional right. Imagine one of your church groups being forced to accept someone that did not follow the same teachings as your church.
However, as a private religious organization, the government, whether local, state or federal, MUST dissociate itself with the BSA. Failure to do so is a clear violation of the First Amendment.
Therefore, it is imperative that the US Congress revoke the charter it granted the BSA back in 1916 that effectively gives it a monopoly not only on the use of the term "scouts" (amended to allow the Girl Scouts to use it in 1954) but also on the type of program. The BSA has successfully sued to prevent the formation of similar organizations that are inclusive and non-discriminatory. It is able to do so solely because of the Congressional charter.
Contact your representative and your senator and tell them to revoke the BSA charter. Tell them that the government of the US must not endorse any private religious organization. Tell them that every young boy— gay or straight, atheist or agnostic or relgious— has the right to have the opportunity to enjoy the benefits offered by an organization that helps them develop their character, their self-esteem and their sense of responsibility to the community.
This decision effectively permits the BSA to discriminate against whomever it chooses. And as much as people may not want to accept it, that is their constitutional right. Imagine one of your church groups being forced to accept someone that did not follow the same teachings as your church.
However, as a private religious organization, the government, whether local, state or federal, MUST dissociate itself with the BSA. Failure to do so is a clear violation of the First Amendment.
Therefore, it is imperative that the US Congress revoke the charter it granted the BSA back in 1916 that effectively gives it a monopoly not only on the use of the term "scouts" (amended to allow the Girl Scouts to use it in 1954) but also on the type of program. The BSA has successfully sued to prevent the formation of similar organizations that are inclusive and non-discriminatory. It is able to do so solely because of the Congressional charter.
Contact your representative and your senator and tell them to revoke the BSA charter. Tell them that the government of the US must not endorse any private religious organization. Tell them that every young boy— gay or straight, atheist or agnostic or relgious— has the right to have the opportunity to enjoy the benefits offered by an organization that helps them develop their character, their self-esteem and their sense of responsibility to the community.