Associated Press, June 17, 2001

Jewish Center Cuts Its Ties to Boy Scouts

STAMFORD, Conn. - The Jewish Community Center of Stamford has ended its 50-year relationship with the Boy Scouts, citing the group's ban on gay Scout leaders. Last year, the United States Supreme Court upheld the national Boy Scouts of America's right to expel a gay assistant scoutmaster in New Jersey. In January, the National Reform Jewish leaders responded,
recommending that parents withdraw their children from Boy Scout chapters and urging synagogues to end sponsorship of Scout troops.

Gary Stone, a member of the committee appointed by the Jewish center to oversee the troop, said that the troop itself had never discriminated. The troop's membership is diverse, including members of many ethnic backgrounds, he said.