Compromise reached between United Way and Boy Scouts of America over funding issues

July 19, 2005

The United Way of Central Ohio (UWCO) has announced a compromise deal with the Simon Kenton Council of the Boy Scouts of America that will allow only Scout-sponsored programs to be funded.

The plan, as presented by Floyd Jones, the Chairman of the UWCO Board of Directors would allow for the Council's $500,000 funding request to be put into funds for programs that serve both boys and girls while not
discriminating.

The Boy Scouts have a policy which discriminates against gay youths, gay adults, and atheists that the U.S. Supreme Court upheld in 2000.

The funds will also be available to the Girl Scouts, which does not discriminate based on sexual orientation or religion.

The two programs are called "Exploring and Learning for Life Program" and "In School Scouting with Girl Scouts Program". The deal is expected to be approved by the UWCO Board of Trustees at their next meeting, scheduled for July 26.

"It seems that with this compromise, the Simon Kenton Council itself will not be funded, but the programs will be funded" says BFC Director Perry Slone. BFC has been monitoring the situation and called for action back in February and March in response to the funding issue.. "We called upon the UWCO to uphold its own non-discrimination policy on the Boy Scouts matter and it appears that they have done so. Of course this entire issue could have been avoided if the BSA would only get rid of their discriminatory policies once and for all" says Slone.

BFC is an interfaith ministry that promotes equality and diversity, and also challenges hate, bigotry, and discrimination. BFC is the Columbus affiliate of Beacon Fellowship which is headquartered in Dayton Ohio.

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