Boy Scouts of America lifts ban on LGBTQ+ Leaders

Boy Scouts of America lifts ban on LGBTQ+ Leaders

Multiple Choice

Any boy who wants to be can be a member of the Boy Scouts of America.

• True

• False

False.

Boys have to be in first grade or older to join the Cub Scouts and ten years old (or have finished fifth grade) to become a Boy Scout. Scouts are generally required to become part of a local Cub Scout pack or Boy Scout troop but in rare instances, a single youth can become a “Lone Scout.” You do not need to be a U.S. citizen to become a member of the Boy Scouts of America.

Multiple Choice

The Boy Scouts of America allows openly gay people to serve as members, leaders and volunteers.

• True

• False

True.

On May 23, 2013 the Boy Scouts of America National Council removed its restriction on youth membership on the basis of sexual orientation; this policy went into effect on January 1, 2014. On July 13, 2015, the Boy Scouts of America Executive Committee unanimously approved allowing gay adults to serve as leaders. The BSA National Executive Board met on July 27, 2015 and ratified the resolution. 

Multiple Choice

All local councils (in towns, cities and neighborhoods) must follow the national Boys Scouts of America policy on gay adult leaders.

• True

• False

False.

The policy that lifts the ban on gay adult leaders includes exemptions for faith-based groups. The BSA statement says: “This change would also respect the right of religious chartered organizations to continue to choose adult leaders whose beliefs are consistent with their own."

Multiple Choice

The Girl Scouts of America has a ban on its leaders being LGBTQ.

• True

• False

False.

The Girl Scouts of the USA have LGBT-inclusive policies and have no membership restrictions on sexual orientation, stated as follows: “Girl Scouts of the USA and its local councils and troops value diversity and inclusiveness and do not discriminate or recruit on the basis of race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, national origin, or physical or developmental disability.” The Girl Scouts is an active member of several organizations that promote LGBT rights. 

Multiple Choice

The Girl Scouts recently turned down a $100,000 donation because it came with restrictions about its LGBTQ members.

• True

• False

True.

After an anonymous donor asked the Girl Scouts of Western Washington to ensure that their $100,000 contribution (almost one quarter of the Council’s annual fundraising goal) would not be used to help transgender girls, the chapter gave the money back. The group’s leader stated: "Girl Scouts is for every girl. And every girl should have the opportunity to be a Girl Scout if she wants to." 

Open Ended

How do you feel about the information shared? Do you think it’s fair or not fair that for a long time the Boy Scouts of America had a ban on gay youth members and adult leaders?

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What is the main theme or message of the article?

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Why do you think some religious organizations want to keep a ban on gay members and leaders?

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If I was Robert Gates, the President of the Boy Scouts of America, I would...

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