From Media Matters for America comes news that the Orlando Sentinel published an article describing Trail Life USA, an anti-gay alternative to the Boy Scouts of America (BSA), as “a character-building, outdoors-oriented youth organization” while downplaying the group’s homophobia. In a Sept. 17 article, the Sentinel allowed John Stemberger – the rabidly anti-gay founder and chairman of Trail Life…
John Stemberger, an Orlando-based litigator come Christian activist, is launching what he hopes will be an alternative scouting organization for young men that explicitly bars gay, bisexual and gender non-conforming youth from participating. The organization, the name of which has yet to be announced, has a Web site, .net, devoted to the promotion and recruitment…
(CNN) — CNN’s Anderson Cooper was presented with the Vito Russo Award at the 24th annual GLAAD Media Awards in New York on Saturday by a very special “Boy Scout”: Madonna. The singer dressed up in uniform to deliver Anderson’s statue, which is given to an LGBT media professional who’s made a difference in promoting…
(CNN) — The questions go to the heart of the issue, presenting scenarios some may find challenging. The Boy Scouts of America, now considering a change in the group’s longstanding policy against allowing openly gay members, has sent out a questionnaire that goes beyond a simple yes or no on the subject. Among them: Is…
IRVING, Texas (CNN) — Boy Scout executives won’t vote this week on a proposal that would allow local troops to decide whether to welcome gay members and leaders. The national organization’s executive board had been expected to vote on the proposal Wednesday, but said instead that it needs more time to get comment on the…
NEW YORK –The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), today joined Eagle Scout Will Oliver and Scouts for Equality to urge National Geographic Channel to denounce the Boy Scouts of America’s (BSA) ban on gay scouts and scout leaders. The channel, which is set to debut the new series, Are You Tougher than a…
A new survey from Gallup shows most Americans say gay and lesbian domestic partners or spouses should have inheritance rights and health insurance and other benefits. And a majority say gays and lesbians should be able to legally adopt children. Gallup reports that these findings are from a Nov. 26-29, 2012, USA Today/Gallup poll. Results…
(CNN) – Attorneys releasing confidential Boy Scouts files on alleged child molestation are calling upon Congress to audit whether the group’s youth protections are working. The effort to seek a congressional inquiry came Thursday as the attorneys released more than 20,000 Boy Scout documents identifying more than 1,000 leaders and volunteers banned from the group…
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – Ryan Andresen, the Boy Scout who was kicked out of that organization for being gay and denied his Eagle Award days before his 18th birthday will deliver more than 400,000 petition signatures to the Mt. Diablo-Silverado Boy Scout Council (BSC) today. Ryan’s mother, Karen Andresen, started the petition on Change.org two…
President Obama publicly expressed his opposition to a policy at the Boy Scouts of America that prohibits LGBTs from joining. The President’s comments follow the Boy Scout’s recent reaffirmation of the discriminatory policy announced in July. “The President believes the Boy Scouts is a valuable organization that has helped educate and build character in American…
