On Monday, March 4, National Geographic Channel premieres its new reality series, Are You Tougher than a Boy Scout, in partnership with the Boy Scouts of America (BSA), despite the fact that the BSA bans and ejects gay acouts and leaders.
Help GLAAD end the ban on gay leadership and troops in the Boy Scouts
Help GLAAD end the ban on gay leadership and troops in the Boy Scouts
Madonna discussed the Boy Scouts at the 24th Annual GLAAD Media Awards in New York. Watch now:
"The Boy Scouts of America is one of the last cultural institutions to categorically discriminate against LGBT Americans. Sending the message to America’s youth that they or their parents are somehow less than everyone else is dangerous, inaccurate and should be changed immediately."
- GLAAD President Herndon Graddick
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BSA has a long history of discriminating against both gay youth and LGBT families. Most notably, in 2004 the BSA adopted a new Youth Leadership policy which strips Boy Scout leaders of their positions in the organization and often denies them access to the organization all together. Just last year, the BSA removed an out lesbian from her volunteer post with a local Potomac Falls, VA chapter because of her sexual orientation. None of BSA’s various websites currently contain non-discrimination policies with enumerated protected classes.
More than 120 groups and individuals who are experts in the fields of sexual abuse prevention, psychology, psychiatry, education coaching, and faith outreach have signed an open letter, debunking the myths and stereotypes that opponents of LGBT participation have been basing their arguments upon.
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Big News! Recording artist Carly Rae Jepsen announced that she will withdraw as headliner of the 2013 National Scout Jamboree, following a campaign launched by GLAAD and Eagle Scout Derek Nance, whose Change.org petition calling on the 'Call Me Maybe' star to denounce the Boy Scouts' ban on gay scouts and scout leaders has amassed over 62,000 signatures.
Greg Bourke, father of two kids with his partner of over 30 years, was recently ousted as Assistant Scoutmaster of his son's Boy Scouts troop because he's gay. Now, Greg is calling on United Way to denounce the Boy Scouts' ban on gay scouts and leaders.
The Boy Scouts of America has decided not to make a decision to end the ban on gay scouts and leaders. Take action now! Send a message to the Boy Scouts that we won't rest. On January 28, 2013, news broke that the Boy Scouts of America is "actively considering" an end to the policy that bans gay scouts and leaders following a campaign by GLAAD, Scouts for Equality and others. The policy, which is being discussed, would remove the ban from the national organization’s rules, land allow local sponsoring organizations to decide whether to allow openly gay scouts. GLAAD has been actively working to end this policy since April 2012. We worked with individuals like Jennifer Tyrrell and Ryan Andresen, as well as groups like Scouts for Equality who were all working to end the ban. Millions of Americans have joined GLAAD and lent their voices to the chorus calling for a change.
This spring, National Geographic Channel will begin airing, "Are You Tougher than a Boy Scout." By airing the series, National Geographic Channel has stepped into a uniquely influential role as a strategic business partner of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA). The show is being used to market the BSA to young people, but fails to inform viewers about the organization's dangerous anti-gay policy. Join GLAAD, Scouts for Equality and 20 year-old Eagle Scout Will Oliver to urge National Geographic Channel to speak out against discrimination
Photos from GLAAD's Yearlong #BoyScouts Campaign
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