Philadelphia Boy Scouts: We have the right to discriminate against gays and keep $1 rent of city’s property

By JD Uy on June 16, 2010

”They wanted to force Cradle of Liberty to say something that Cradle of Liberty doesn’t have to say.”

Jason Gosselin, a representative for the Cradle of Liberty Council, arguing that the Boy Scouts‘ rights to free speech and free association are being violated by the city of Philadelphia, PA. The city has asked the local Scouts to stop enforcing the national group’s policy that specifically excludes all gay male participants. Otherwise, the rent for their headquarters would increase from $1 per year to $200,000. Cradle of Liberty is the name of a Boy Scout chapter that initiated the lawsuit two years ago. (Philly.com)

The Boy Scouts of America is a religioius organization, heavily influenced by Mormon leadership, that has received widespread support from governments at all levels. But as more regions adopted anti-discrimination policies during the 1990s, the BSA policy that excludes gays, atheists and others for no reason other than religious dogma, came under fire. The US Supreme Court ruled that BSA is a private organization not subject to membership scrutiny of public institutions. But the Court did not grant BSA any special protection from government ordinances either.

”The dispute at this point is really narrowed down to the basis for the city’s decision to end its lease, and whether that’s the same rule they apply across the board.”

Mary Catherine Roper of the ACLU remarking on a court case which pits the city of Philadelphia against the Boy Scouts. At issue is a dispute over the Boy Scouts discriminatory policy that excludes any gay men or boys from participating, and their headquarters which is located in property owned by the city. The Boy Scouts pay only $1 per year for the space, and the city has given them several options — rescind the discriminatory policy, or pay $200,000 per year, or get out. (Philly.com)

”The Boy Scouts shouldn’t be able to take advantage of a rent-free arrangement if they’re going to refuse to adhere to our policy of fair treatment for all citizens. That’s really the issue — the Boy Scouts are getting a benefit from the city, but they’re refusing to adhere to the city’s policies.”

Shelly Smith, an attorney for the city of Philadelphia which wants the Boy Scouts to pay $200,000 per year for renting a city-owned building for it’s headquaters, or the Scouts can remain and pay only $1 per year if they stop excluding gay males from being members. (KYW1060)

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