Press Release
from Scouting for All
For Immediate Release and Distribution
May 17, 2006
For further Information Contact
Scott Cozza, Pres. Scouting for All
Email: info@scoutingforall.org
www.scoutingforall.org


Boy Scouts of America's National Leadership,
In Irving, Texas Acts Un-American



Rally / Protest At The Boy Scouts of America's National Conference In Washington DC, May 24th

Scouting for All Asks The Boy Scouts of America To STOP Hurting Children By Rejecting Gay and Atheist Youth, At The BSA's National Conference, Washington DC May 24th

Scouting for All asks the media / press not to ignore this issue, this event. Discrimination by the Boy Scouts of America, being supported by our Federal Government reflects a larger dysfunction of many institutions in our society, that contribute to hatred and divisiveness and are driven by homophobia and self righteous ideology. We see this with the BSA and President Bush's administration. We must fight for our rights as a people or we will continue to lose our rights as we see currently happening here in America. The gay and atheist communities are being discriminated against. This is very serious. It tears at the very fabric that holds this nation together, "For Justice and Liberty For All". We are not quite there yet. As a people, a nation, we must continue to step forth and speak out loudly when anyone of us is discriminated against, for this is our right and our duty as an American to do so!

We will be reading the names of those scouts who have turned in their scouting awards to Scouting for All in protest of the BSA's national leadership's policy of discrimination against gay and atheist youth and adults.

The issue at hand is pretty simple. How can we as a nation support any organization that discriminates against any segment of our society? Those who believe in justice and human rights for all should be offended by the BSA's policy. The Boy Scouts of America's national leadership through its exclusive policy gives out a dehumanizing message about the gay and atheist / non theist communities. According to the BSA's national leadership, GLBT and atheist people are not moral and are not good Americans simply because of their sexual orientation and atheistic belief.

Currently our own Federal Government supports this discriminatory organization. President Bush is even the Honorary President of the BSA and he refuses to step down from that position. He says "No Child Left Behind" in his education bill, words that mean nothing when he supports an organization who leave gay and atheist youth behind! Our own tax payer money is used to support the Boy Scouts of America and its discriminatory practice and some of our schools allow them to use their facilities and recruit in their classrooms. Some United Ways continue to use the financial contributions they receive to give money to the BSA, an organization that discriminates against many of its own financial contributors and many of their own United Way staff.

The BSA policy is a divisive policy, furthering the violence, hatred, and discrimination both the gay and atheist communities experience in American society. As President Clinton once said, " To discriminate against an American is un-American." The Boy Scouts of America, leadership in Irving Texas is acting un-American.



This Year's Theme - "Lets Include All Youth In Scouting: Gay & Atheist / Non-theist"

Program of Events

Press Conference
- May 24, Wednesday, Marriott Wardman Park Hotel, 2660 Woodley Rd. NW; Washington, DC, 10:00 - 11:00 Noon

Protest / Rally
- May 24, Wednesday, Marriott Wardman Park Hotel, 2660 Woodley Rd. NW; Washington, DC, 09:00 AM - 05:00 PM

Candlelight Vigil
- May 24, Wednesday, meeting at Dupont Circle (bring flashlights)7:00 PM -9:00 PM Concluding at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel
The parade route for the Candlelight Vigil will begin at Dupont Circle at 19street NW and end at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel, DC, 2660 Woodley Road. The Candlelight Vigil is being held in memory of those GLBT and Questioning youth who committed suicide because they felt like they did not belong, rejected. The Boy Scouts of America through its rejection of gay youth and President Bush who remains as the Honorary President of the BSA only adds to this problem. Both President Bush and organizations like the BSA who discriminate against the gay community should be held accountable for contributing to the high suicide rate of GLBT and Q youth in America.

***Thursday May 25th 0900-1 PM Scouting for All will be back at the Marriott Protesting one last time before we leave from 0900-1PM. You are all invited to join us; but the most urgent need is to join us for all of our events on Wednesday May 24th

* Please join us at the Press Conference, Protest / Rally and Candlelight Vigil. Let Scott Cozza know if you'll be joining us. Scouting for All is also asking our national and international supporters for financial support to help Scouting for All fund this event. Please send any donations payable to: Scouting for All and send a note that the donation is for our DC Event May 24th and 25th. All donations to Scouting for All is tax deductible. We are a 501c3 charitable nonprofit. Mailing address:

Scouting for All
San Diego, CA 92120-0841
National Office Phone
Tel: 619-229-1612
Email: info@scoutingforall.org