Written: 8/13/2012
Here’s a bit of news I did not expect to write: both presidential candidates are opposed to the BSA’s ban on LGBT members.
Obama, as guessed, is opposed to the ban:
President believes the Boy Scouts is a valuable organization that has helped educate and build character in American boys for more than a century,” White House spokesperson Shin Inouye said in the statement. “He also opposes discrimination in all forms, and as such opposes this policy that discriminates on basis of sexual orientation.”
And Romeny, who said the following in 1994, his current spokesman said he still stands by it:
I support the right of the Boy Scouts of America to decide what it wants to do on that issue. I feel that all people should be able to participate in the Boy Scouts regardless of their sexual orientation.
I honestly thought he would try to walk that back and distance himself from it. But good for him!
Zach Wahls weighs in, and I have to agree, it’s so strange to see both major candidates from the two parties agreeing on something:
“I couldn’t agree more with President Obama about how important the BSA is to this country’s young men and am proud to have his support. The fact that the Presidential candidates of both major American parties have come together to oppose the BSA’s anti-gay policy in the most polarized political climate since Reconstruction speaks volumes about both the moral validity and critical importance of ending the ban. It’s no surprise that the leader of the free world is willing to advocate for a little more freedom within the BSA.”
I don’t think this will come up as an issue, although I think it would be worth it if it was pushed by groups such as Scouts for Equality, although honestly, there are more pressing issues for the country, just not for me.
But maybe, just maybe, like Pelosi and Gingrich, they’ll come together and do a PSA. But I won’t hold my breath.
All my best,
The King of Spades
