3.12.2006

No Atheists? No Gays? No Free Ride!
Court Slaps Down Boy Scouts

Boy Scouts Lose in Calif. High Court Ruling

from PlanetOut

Unlike other nonprofit groups, a Boy Scout branch in Berkeley, Calif., must pay city marina fees for its boating activities because of the national organization's discriminatory policies, the California Supreme Court ruled on Thursday.

Because the Boy Scouts of America bans gays and atheists from membership, the affiliated Berkeley Sea Scouts are not in compliance a 1997 nondiscrimination law and thus are not eligible for the fee waiver, the court ruled.

The group argued that the city's denial of the waiver violated free speech and freedom of association rights.

"What the California Supreme Court said was that private clubs can discriminate, but the taxpayers don't have to fund that discrimination," said Berkeley City Attorney Manuela Albuquerque.

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 2000 that the Boy Scouts of America can legally bar certain groups of people - namely gays and atheists - from joining.

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL), which filed an amicus brief in the case supporting the city of Berkeley, cheered Thursday's ruling.

"We are very pleased that the court delivered this blow to those who would discriminate and use the First Amendment to mask intolerance," said Jonathan Bernstein, ADL regional director. "The government has a responsibility to demand that a group it supports not discriminate, and the court did just that."

Scouting for All, a group dedicated to restoring "unbiased values of scouting," called the ruling "a victory for human rights."

Bob Bork, a spokesman for the Boy Scouts, told the Associated Press the ruling is "another in a continuing legal backlash against the Boy Scouts."

3 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

What a frightened little boy you are. May I suggest a lobotomy?

It obviously can do little harm, and it might prevent more or your diseased gibberish from poisoning other unsuspecting readers - put then - that is what little cowards like you enjoy, isn't it?

Must suck to born dead.

March 13, 2006 9:16 PM  
Blogger Darren said...

What are you babbling about? What exactly am I afraid of again? What is the "it" that can do little harm? What will "it" "prevent." I'm afraid that the Boy Scouts will prevent people from reading my blog?! Holy Christ, I never thought of that!

I see why you advocate lobotomies. Then everyone can understand you.

And for future reference: Calling someone a coward when you're anonymous? Doesn't work. My name and picture are here; my identity know.

You? You are no one.

March 13, 2006 10:16 PM  
Blogger Vile Blasphemer said...

The boy scouts have always sucked- I was one for about three months before I told my parents I hated it. It's a fricken pyramid scam-indoctrination clinic.

Fantastic retort to anonymous, by the way.

OWNED!

March 17, 2006 5:14 PM  

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