I have been monitoring postings for a month or so now and am impressed with
my fellow commanders and their concern for the boys. I respect your
opinions and value your insights. How do you feel this court ruling will
impact Royal Rangers. Do you see a day where we will be forced to accept
homosexuals as commanders. Don't misunderstand me, I am not bashing them
and pray for their salvation, but don't want them in a position of
leadership. How could I tell my Challengers this lifestyle is immoral in
God's sight when they know of a homosexual commander?
Martin "Grizzly Bear" Heffner
Outpost 50
Potomac District / Eastern Section
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
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.J. Lifts Boy Scout Ban on Gays
By THOMAS MARTELLO
.c The Associated Press
TRENTON, N.J. (Aug. 4) - The Boy Scouts of America's ban on homosexuals is
illegal under New Jersey's anti-discrimination law, the state Supreme Court
ruled today.
The Boy Scouts vowed to appeal the court's ruling, which upheld a state
appellate court decision, to the U.S. Supreme Court.
The court, in a unanimous decision, sided with James Dale, a Matawan
assistant scoutmaster who was kicked out of the Boy Scouts nine years ago
when leaders found out he is gay.
The court said the Boy Scouts organization constitutes a ''place of public
accommodation'' because it has a broad-based membership and forms
partnerships with public entities and public service organizations.
Thus, the court said the Boy Scouts fall under New Jersey's
anti-discrimination law and cannot deny any person ''accommodations,
advantages, facilities and privileges'' because of sexual orientation.
The court also rejected the Boy Scouts' contention that striking down their
ban on homosexuals violates the group's First Amendment rights.
''To recognize the Boy Scouts' First Amendment claim would be tantamount to
tolerating the expulsion of an individual solely because of his status as a
homosexual - an act of discrimination unprotected by the First Amendment
freedom of speech,'' the decision reads.
Dale, now 29, earned 30 merit badges and various other awards and was an
Eagle Scout during his 12 years in the organization. He was expelled in
1990.
A lower court judge ruled in the Scouts' favor in 1995, calling
homosexuality
''a serious moral wrong'' and agreeing with the Boy Scouts that the group is
a private organization and has a constitutional right to decide who can
belong.
In overturning that decision last year, an appeals court said Dale's
''exemplary journey through the Boy Scouts of America ranks as testament
enough that these stereotypical notions about homosexuals must be
rejected.''
George Davidson, an attorney for the Boy Scouts, said this is the first time
the group had lost such a case in a state's highest court. He had argued the
group has a right to pick its own leaders without interference from ''an
all-powerful state.''
''It's a sad day when the state dictates to parents what role models they
must provide for their children,'' Davidson said.
''To us, the silver lining is it gives Boy Scouts the first opportunity to
go
the U.S. Supreme Court and get a definitive ruling to put an end to these
lawsuits,'' he said
The court decision rejected ''the notion that Dale's presence in the
organization is symbolic of Boy Scouts' endorsement of homosexuality. ...
Dale has never used his leadership position or membership to promote
homosexuality, or any message inconsistent with Boy Scouts' policies.''
Dale scheduled an afternoon news conference at the New York offices of the
Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund, which represented him in court.
''It's a great day for our client, but also for both lesbian and gay people
who want to join the Boy Scouts,'' said Beatrice Dohrn, legal director for
the group. ''It's also a great day for other people in the Boy Scouts who
got
a message today of inclusion rather than one of discrimination.''
AP-NY-08-04-99 1134EDT
Copyright 1999 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP
news
report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed
without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. All active
hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL. OOOPs
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