Scouting for All: Committed to Scouting, Open to Diversity. Working to end discrimination against gays, atheists, agnostics, other non-theists, and all other groups in the Boy Scouts of America.

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Activist Groups Urge Obama to Reject Boy Scout Honor

From Fox News:

Activist groups, including Scouting for All, urge President Obama not to accept the honorary Presidency of the Boy Scouts of America until they stop discriminating.

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Cohes, NY, Troop 670, 54 year old Scout Troop Stands by Chris Hayes, gay Eagle Scout.

Capital District Coalition for Inclusive Scouting
January 24, 2001

BOY SCOUT TROOP MEETS TO DISCUSS BAN ON GAYS

Scout leaders show their support for ousted gay Eagle Scout

Troop Leadership Takes Steps to Support Gay Eagle Scout.

summarized by Julie Billimack

Cohoes,NY

Last August, Christopher Hayes was removed from his position in the Boy Scouts of America because he is gay. Hayes, a highly decorated 17 year BSA veteran protested his dismissal with the support of his 54 year old scout troop, who joined him at a protest rally and recently took additional action to fight the BSA's policy of discrimination.

At a meeting attended by troop leadership and the pastor of the troop's sponsor, a Catholic parish of which Hayes is a lifetime member, the decision was made to support Christopher Hayes by adding him to the troop charter as an Assistant Scoutmaster.

John Hildreth, the Troop Committee Chairman, and Reverend Arthur Becker of the troop's sponsoring Catholic parish, signed off on Hayes' application for the position, which they expect will be rejected by the Scout Council Headquarters in Albany. "But, it does send a message to the council that Troop 670 does not agree with the anti-gay policy and the leadership of both my troop and my parish support me" said Hayes.

If the application is rejected as expected, the troop may adopt a non-discrimination policy which will be reviewed and voted on by it's leaders and volunteers and sent to the Twin Rivers Council and the National Headquarters of the BSA. Scout Master Ron Fortin and Father Arthur Becker seemed confident that Hayes would receive the full support of the troop.

Scouting For All is not an alternative scouting program.
We are an education and advocacy organization reaching out to gay and nontheist youth and adults in our effort to get the Boy Scouts of America to rescind its exlusionary policy.

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