Boy Scouts of America Los Angeles Area Council Supports National President Dr. Robert Gates
Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) May 22, 2015 -- The Los Angeles Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America fully supports National President Dr. Robert Gates' recent statement that the Boy Scouts will not enforce its membership policy against local Councils (such as the Los Angeles Area Council) that have a policy of nondiscrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. Dr. Gates called for a change in the Boy Scouts' current National policy that prohibits discrimination against youth members on the basis of sexual orientation, but bars openly gay adult leaders.
"The Los Angeles Area Council has had a policy of nondiscrimination for many years, including nondiscrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. We have also been a leading voice for change in National policy," says Council President Gerry Morton. Prior to the 2013 decision to open membership to gay youth, the Los Angeles Area Council submitted a resolution to the Boy Scouts' National organization proposing that the National policy be changed to open Boy Scout membership and adult leadership positions to all persons regardless of sexual orientation. The Los Angeles Area Council has also sent a letter to Dr. Gates and the Boy Scout National Executive Board urging that National BSA not enforce its current policy against any local Boy Scout Council and to change the National membership policy to a policy of complete nondiscrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. The letter was unanimously approved by the LA Council's Executive Committee and signed by current and past Presidents of the Council. Dr. Gates' recent statements at the Boy Scouts' National meeting are in alignment with the Los Angeles Area Council's position.
The vision of the Los Angeles Area Council is to be "the preeminent, values based, character building, leadership training organization in Los Angeles that transforms today's youth into tomorrow's best citizen leaders." The Council looks forward to continuing to serve the Los Angeles Area youth and communities with the Boy Scouts' important character building program. Los Angeles, and America, needs Scouting now more than ever.
About The Boy Scouts of America, Los Angeles Area Council
The Boy Scouts of America, Los Angeles Area Council (LAAC) was started in 1915 and has served millions of youth since its inception. Currently, the LAAC serves more than 25,000 youth across the greater Los Angeles area, delivering quality programs each year via 10,000 trained adult volunteers. With a focus on character development, scouts are trained to be the leaders of tomorrow.
Gerry Morton, Boy Scouts of America Los Angeles Area Council, http://www.boyscoutsla.org, +1 (888) 883-6374, [email protected]
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