- June 2013
- May 2013
- April 2013
- March 2013
- February 2013
- January 2013
- December 2012
- November 2012
- October 2012
- September 2012
- August 2012
- July 2012
- June 2012
- May 2012
- April 2012
- March 2012
- February 2012
- January 2012
- December 2011
- November 2011
- October 2011
- September 2011
- August 2011
- July 2011
- June 2011
- May 2011
- April 2011
- March 2011
- February 2011
- January 2011
- December 2010
- November 2010
- October 2010
- September 2010
- August 2010
- July 2010
- June 2010
- May 2010
- April 2010
- March 2010
- February 2010
- January 2010
- December 2009
- November 2009
- March 2009
- October 2006
- July 2002
America's Leading Gay News Source
Obama says Boy Scouts should admit gays
President Barack Obama says the Boy Scouts should end its ban on gay members (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)
President Obama reaffirmed that he believes the Boy Scouts of America should admit openly gay members just days before the organization is slated to vote on whether to lift its gay ban.
In a live interview that aired Sunday on CBS News just before Super Bowl XLVII, Obama said “yes” when asked by anchor Scott Pelley if the Boy Scouts should be open to gays.
“My attitude is that gays and lesbians should have access and opportunity the same way everybody else does, in every institution and walk of life,” Obama added after bring asked to elaborate.
Obama continued, “And the Scouts are a great institution that are promoting young people and exposing them to opportunities and leadership that will serve people for the rest of their lives, and I think that nobody should be barred for that.”
It’s not the first time Obama has articulated the view that gays should be admitted into the Boy Scouts. In August, Obama came out against the ban through a White House spokesperson during the presidential election. It was just days after the campaign for Mitt Romney said the Republican candidate holds the same view that he had in 1994, which has been interpreted to mean that he opposes the ban.
The Boy Scouts executive board is expected to vote Wednesday, last day of a three-day meeting, on whether to lift the ban on gay youth and adult members. The organization reaffirmed its ban after a similar review last year.
One option the group has articulated is ending its national ban on gays, but allowing local chapters to decide on whether to institute their own bans. That option has been criticized by the Human Rights Campaign, which has said the Boy Scouts must ensure open membership for all chapters.
Watch the video here:
Tagged with Barack Obama, Boy Scouts of America, Homepage Headlines
We welcome your thoughtful, respectful comments. Please read our 'Terms of Service' page for more information about community expectations.
Comments from new visitors, flagged users, or those containing questionable language are automatically held for moderation and may not appear immediately.
-
[...] Super Bowl 2013: Obama addresses football safety againWashington Post (blog)CBS News -Washington Blade -The Hill (blog)all 62 news [...]
-
[...] The Scouts’ own board of …The Boy Scouts’ small step on gay rightsWashington PostObama says Boy Scouts should admit gaysWashington BladeObama says Boy Scouts should allow gays as membersMiamiHerald.comThe [...]
view print edition
The Bible should be banned!
Here are several really loving excerpts from the Torah; the first five books of the Old Testament in the bible — perhaps read to the congregation on Friday night at a synagogue or a Sunday morning church in the meadow.
1. Kill any friends or family that worship a god that is different than your own. Deuteronomy 13:6-10
2. Kill all the inhabitants of any city where you find people that worship differently than you. Deuteronomy 13:12-16
3. Kill everyone who has religious views that are different than your own. Deuteronomy 17:2-7.
Rabbinical / Priestly rules:
Leviticus 21:17-18 … “No one who is blind or lame or has a defect or any blemish may approach to offer the bread of his God.”.
Leviticus 18:22 … “You are not to go to bed with a man as with a woman; it is an abomination ….”.
Rabbis; the pope and churches fully aware that Leviticus 18:22 applies to rabbis and priests … refuse to remove this stigma maliciously persecuting gays. Kids are being bullied into suicide …!
[Translate]
Being black, left-handed or being gay is just as natural. It is a sometimes rare occurrence to fall in Love and to hold that person in your heart and be loved in return… it is something that should be celebrated! If it’s between two guys or two girls — all the better. It takes even more courage to defend that LOVE!
[Translate]
On the right side of history. FYI – Started by an Eagle Scout, http://OutScouts.com is providing a supportive environment for LGBT scouts, leaders and their supporters.
[Translate]