Bryan Fischer is not happy with the Boy Scouts

Bryan Fischer

Of course not everyone is happy that the Boy Scouts removed the ban on gay youth. The following tweet is from Bryan Fischer of the American Family Association

 Bryan Fischer ‏@BryanJFischer 14m

BSA now stands for Boy Sodomizers of America, because that's what will happen. Mark my words.

Picking on children. What would Jesus do indeed?

Boy Scouts end ban on gay Scouts but . . .

From the Human Rights Campaign:

In a historic move, 1,400 leaders from the nation’s local Boy Scouts of America Councils gave the green light to equality for gay Scouts, voting to end the organization’s long standing ban on gay youth.  Unfortunately the new policy does not go far enough, leaving adult Eagle Scouts, scout leaders, and parents behind.  The resolution passed today reads in part, “no youth may be denied membership in the Boy Scouts of America on the basis of sexual orientation or preference alone.” 

"Today is a historic day for Boy Scouts across the country who want to be a part of this great American institution," said HRC President Chad Griffin.  "But the new policy doesn’t go far enough.  Parents and adults of good moral character, regardless of sexual orientation, should be able to volunteer their time to mentor the next generation of Americans."

"The Boy Scouts of America can do better," said Zach Wahls, an Eagle Scout and Executive Director of Scouts for Equality.  "We welcome the news that the ban on gay Scouts is history, but our work isn’t over until we honor the Scout Law by making this American institution open and affirming to all."
 
Unanswered in the new policy is the issue of employment discrimination by BSA.  Currently, the BSA job application for "professional commission" explicitly says gays need not apply. The application, which comes from the BSA’s national office and appears to be in use across the country, reads:  "The Boy Scouts of America will not employ atheists, agnostics, known or avowed homosexuals." The full application can be viewed here.

Still work to do. But for now, let's celebrate this step forward.

Tony Perkins denounces hateful anti-gay rhetoric except his own

In a long-winded monologue on his show, Washington Watch, yesterday, Family Research Council said that he only “speaks from love” about gay people and that he “completely denounce[s] hateful rhetoric, calling people names and demonizing them.”

As Right-Wing Watch pointed out after that clip - and I am about to point out, Perkins is lying through his teeth. This is the same guy who claimed that gays are the "pawns of the devil:"

 

Then there are these lovely moments, courtesy of GLAAD, when Perkins:

-- Claimed: "Even if society embraced homosxuality, there would never be that sense of self-fulfillment because it's outside of how God created man and woman, and that's the bottom line.  They can't erase that."

-- Told "funny" story about his church converting "big women" into "ex-gays"

-- Claimed Uganda bill (with death penalty attached) simply "upholds moral conduct"

-- Compared the "unfortunate experience" and "lifestyle choice" of homosexuality to that of drug abuse

-- Claimed court-tested marriage equality will lead to a "revolution" in America

If Perkins keeps telling these blatant lies, he is going to have to get lightning insurance.

'Family Research Council pushes full-page ad against gay Scouts' and other Thursday midday news briefs

New ad: One of America's most hostile anti-gay groups asks BSA Delegates to make horrible mistake - Today is the day in which the Boy Scouts vote whether or not to allow gay scouts. And naturally the Family Research Council is all up in the situation with this full-page ad.

Boy Scouts president: Let in gay boys - Meanwhile, the president of the Boy Scouts has a different opinion of the situation.  

Why Do We Defend Discrimination? - An excellent point by my friend John Becker. In the case of racism and anti-Semitism, we don't defend bigotry. But in the case of lgbt equality, a lot of times, we do. Even lgbt folks.  

Oklahoma Congressman: The Left Is ‘Intolerant’ For Wanting Gay Boy Scouts - To me, this brief isn't solely about the Boy Scouts. It just amazes me that folks accuses lgbt of being "intolerant" because we simply want basic dignity and respect as human beings. To some folks, "tolerance" means being a doormat. Sorry, but I was never raised to be a doormat.

 Like Letting Serial Killers Teach Preschool: The Top 5 Religious Right Claims on the Consequences of Lifting the Gay Scouts Ban - Get ready for the crazy!

Marriage equality 'is awful' is a not a good answer

From Right Wing Watch:

KSFY in Sioux Falls took on the debate about legalizing same-sex marriage in South Dakota yesterday by airing a report on how Iowans are faring under that state’s four-year-old marriage equality law. The station, in an attempt to hear both sides of the issue, interviewed an Iowa married couple, John Sellers and Tom Helten, and the state’s leading anti-gay activist, Bob Vander Plaats, who is trying to get the law overturned.

Sellers and Helten explain why they support marriage equality. Plaats explains why he doesn't. It's not even a long debate, but it answers a multitude of questions, specifically the one asking can those who oppose marriage equality list any reason that's not religious-based.