Protest Rally August 22, 2001

        Mary Scholl

On behalf of PFLAG-Genesee County and as the mother of a gay man who is a great role model, I thank each of you for coming today so that we can stand together to ask the Boys Scouts of America to change their immoral, deadly policy of discrimination against our gay youth and gay men.
We are painfully aware that the needs of our gay young people for acceptance and support are often sadly lacking in our nation's schools.  Instead of a peaceful, rich learning environment, they are subjected to harassment, scorn and ridicule. During these tender years when we are concerned about drug and alcohol abuse and suicide, the needs of these kids seem invisible or ignored by professionals.
How can the Boy Scouts of America that represents the best in our society, embrace the worst kind of bigotry and add one more devastating message "if you are gay, you are unwelcome and unworthy to be a member of the Boy Scouts of America."  And they want to receive public funds and recruit in our schools!
We will not allow this message to go unchallenged.  We will never knowingly allow one gay student to suffer these indignities or walk alone in the face of such evil.
I look forward to the day when "straights only," like "whites only" will not be tolerated by those who recognize the dignity and worth of all of our children.
Thank you!
Mary Scholl,
President of PFLAG-Genesee County

Lisa Friedman

I come to this rally, as I suspect many of us do, out of my respect for the long and dedicated history of the Boy Scouts of America. It seems in recent years that this history is in danger of being forgotten, but that does not change the fact that I know many men who value their scouting experience as a foundation in their lives. It does not change the fact that it has been my honor and privilege as a minister to participate in two Eagle Scout ceremonies for young Unitarian Universalist men, who worked hard to achieve this highest scout honor. It does not change the fact that I continue to sign the booklets for the Love in Help and Religion in Life Awards which the young boys in my congregation have earned, even though the National Boy Scouts Office does not want me to. What saddens me the most is that the Boy Scouts of America refuses to recognize that they are sending their young boys and men a mixed and dishonorable message.
The Scout Law states that “A Scout is FRIENDLY. A Scout is a friend to all. He is a brother to other Scouts. He seeks to understand others. He respects those with ideas and customs that are different from his own.” There is no question that what brings us here today is a call for inclusion and an end to bigotry. You can be a Scout, no matter the color of your skin or the country of your origin. You can be a Scout whether you are tall or short, athletic or brainy, physically able or physically challenged, Democrat or Republican or Independent, Mormon or Muslim, Christian or Jew. But you dare not admit to being gay or bi-sexual, which is not an idea or custom or fad, but a simple biological fact which embraces over 10% of our whole humanity. We are here today to affirm that there is nothing about one’s sexual orientation that prevents one from living the Scout Oath and Law and living them well. In fact, I think that many of our gay and bi-sexual young men already are leaders, if what that means is to live a loyal, trustworthy, and courageous life.
 “A Scout is BRAVE. A Scout can face danger even if he is afraid. He has the courage to stand for what he thinks is right even if others laugh at him or threaten him.” The Unitarian Universalist Association, along with others, have become engaged in dialogue with the Boy Scouts of America over these issues, precisely because our boys scouts and scouts leaders have bravely stood up for what they believe in. The deeply held belief in the inherent worth and dignity of all people. The reasoned belief that the prejudice against gays and lesbians is a hatred which has no true basis or support in scripture (witness to the fact that Jesus of Nazareth is not even recorded to have said anything on the subject). The passionate belief that love is at the heart of all human health and progress, and a respect for the fact that love can appear among us in many forms. Today we honor and salute those scouts who refused to remain silent in the face of folly and hurtful policies.
 “A Scout is REVERENT. A Scout is reverent toward God. He is faithful in his religious duties. He respects the beliefs of others.” I need to remind us, as we gather here to affirm the rights of our gay, lesbian, and bi-sexual brothers and sisters, that we are also here to affirm the importance of religious freedom. Two years ago, it seemed that the Unitarian Universalist Association had found a compromise with the Boy Scouts of America. We would state our objections to the Boys Scouts’ discriminatory policies in a separate, supplemental publication, instead of demanding that it be printed in the Boys Scouts Religion in Life guide. Within a month, they backed off of this agreement, because it turned out that they did not wish us to raise the issue with our boy scouts at all. I want to emphasize that we Unitarian Universalists are a religious movement. Our support of gay, lesbian, and bi-sexual rights is based upon religious, not political grounds. To ask us to remain silent, when we know that our values are being challenged, is to deny us our religious freedom to voice our beliefs in this free and open country, even to our own children. Who knows what religious beliefs of others, the national Boy Scouts might now deem is dangerous to their organization? Where is the reverence and the respect which has so long been a bedrock of the Scout Law?
 It is my hope and prayer that the Boy Scouts of America will wake up and recognize this dishonorable and slippery slope that they have recently chosen. We know them from their past to be an organization which holds the promise of a worthier way – a more inclusive, courageous, and reverent Boys Scouts of America, which could be a home to all of our young boys and men.
Reverend Lisa Friedman, Minister,
Unitarian Universalist Church of Flint

Robert Scholl

My name is Bob Scholl.  I'm a retired teacher from Grand Blanc and a member of Pflag - Genesee County.
As a former Boy Scout, Troop 10, Hammond, Ind., it is with deep regret that I feel obligated to present this "Badge of Shame" for promoting  Homophobia to the Boy Scouts of America. I would also like to tell the leaders of BSA that "morally straight" has nothing to do with sexual orientation and everything to do with upholding the civil rights of all people.
I think it is a shame that an organization that has espoused civil rights for minorities has a policy that betrays its own principles of equality for all.
In The Pledge of Allegiance, recited by every Scout, does not have any restrictions on the phrase "liberty and justice for all".
I would hope that the leaders of Boy Scouts of America would reconsider their discriminatory policy against gays and work toward upholding the civil rights of all people.
Robert Scholl, Member of PFLAG-Genesee County and presenter of the homophobia badge to The Boy Scouts of America.