Pack 33 Great Sauk Trail Council Ann Arbor, Michigan, says no to the BSA Policy of Discrimination

December 1, 2000

To:
Roy L. Williams, Chief Scout Executive
National Headquarters Boy Scouts of America
PO Box 152079
Irving, TX 75015-2079

Mr. Ed Whitacre Jr., Pres.
Boy Scouts of America
Southwestern Bell
175 E. Houston St.
San Antonio, TX 78205

Gregg Shields, BSA Spokesperson
National Headquarters Boy Scouts of America
PO Box 152079
Irving, TX 75015-2079

Donald G. Oblander
Relationships Division
National Headquarters Boy Scouts of America
PO Box 152079
Irving, TX 75015-2079

Robert Poole, Scout Executive
Boy Scouts of America
Great Sauk Trail Council
1979 Huron Parkway
Ann Arbor, MI 48104

Dr. Lawrence Ray Lawrence
Chairman, BSA Relationships Committee
522 East Lane
Kerrville, TX 78029

Gentlemen:

We are writing regarding the controversial Supreme Court decision allowing the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) to bar gay adults from serving as troop leaders and openly gay boys from being members. This position is based on the premise that gay Scout leaders are not "morally straight." The BSA has made the following statement regarding their position: "The Boy Scouts of America has always reflected the expectations that Scouting families have had for the organization."

We the parents and leaders of the Great Sauk Trail Pack 33, are writing to let you know that the BSA is not reflecting our values nor our expectations by banning "the registration of avowed homosexuals as members or as leaders of the BSA."

The parent leadership of Pack 33 holds the position that it is inappropriate and unconscionable to equate homosexuality with moral deviance.

Pack 33 of the Great Sauk Trail Council was chartered three years ago by the Honey Creek Community School PTO. Two-thirds of the eligible boys in the school are active members of the pack. BSA policy insists that our school administrators and a significant number of our parents are not acceptable role models for our children. This simply is not true. We are proud to be part of a community that does not discriminate on the basis of one's sexual orientation. We cannot and will not abide by the national BSA policy of discrimination.

You will find attached our Pack 33 nondiscrimination policy signed by our leaders and parents. It is also supported by our Chartering Organization.

We urge that the National BSA change its policy of discrimination.

On behalf of Pack 33 leaders

(signed)
Michael Kizer, Cubmaster
Chelsea, MI

cc: Scouting For All / Honey Creek Community School PTO / file