QNIssue_110108 web - QNotes

Not for Reproduction Q-Notes Not for ReproductionS O U T H CA R O L I N AFaculty members debateBoy Scout donationsform that the boys complete to join the scoutsthat says ‘sexual preference,’ nor is there anysuch blank on the form that adults must completeto volunteer. If a prospective adult leaderwere to write ‘I only perform sexual intercoursewith women, in the missionary posi-Q - N OCollege of CharlestonTprofessors atEtion’ in the margin of his volunteer Sform, heopposing ends of debatewould be rejected immediately. This is becausethere is no sex in the scouts, of any sort, ever.by Matt Comer . Q-Notes staff“Nor are there any drugs or alcohol, nor anysmoking, nor gambling, nor cussing, nor spitting,nor fighting, nor any vice whatsoever. InCHARLESTON — Two College ofCharleston faculty members are speaking out fact, because most troops enforce bans on electronicgadgets of all sorts, including iPods,on opposite ends of the debate over supportfor the Boy Scouts of America.there’s no rock-and-roll. If a prospective adultOn Oct. 20, a letter was sent to college facultyannouncing the school’s upcoming plans margin of his application,“I like beer” (which Ivolunteer (such as myself) were to write in thefor a United Way fundraiser, according to The do) he would be rejected immediately. Is thisCharleston City Paper’s Press Time blog and discrimination? Yes, and I thank heaven for it.”writer Greg Hambrick.Dozens of Boy Scout leaders and youthFaculty member Herb Silvermanmembers have been dismissed from theresponded to the announcement toScouting program. Most of the dismissalsexplain his long-held opposition to thehave been the result of anti-gay policies,United Way because of their support ofalthough membership and leadershipScouting and its officialstandards also bar atheistsor agnostics.anti-gay policies.Q - N O“Many UnitedT ESThe official BoyWays throughoutScout policy,the country (notpassed as a resolutionfrom theours) have a policyof not funding anygroup’s Nationalorganization that dis-Executive Board incriminates on the basisFebruary 2002, states,of religion or sexual orientation,”Silverman wrote.“Asinconsistent with the tradi-“homosexual conduct isfar as I can tell, earmarkingtional values espoused in thecontributions to some of theScout Oath and Law and thatmany fine non-discriminatoryan avowed homosexual cannotorganizations in United Way will not work.serve as a role model for the values of theThe United Way then simply allocates aOath and Law” and “conduct of both Scoutshigher proportionof themust be inand Scoutersnon-restrictedcompliancecontributions to the others.”with the Scout Oath and Law.”But another faculty member, RobertLess often discussed in news coverage ofDillon, defensively responded to Silverman. He gay issues in Scouting is the fact that youthQ - N Othinks that the Boy ScoutsThave a right to discriminate,as evidenced by the 2000 Supreme their gay sexual orientation, despite years ofEmembers are summarily dismissed Sdue toCourt ruling in Boy Scouts v. Dale.membership or whether such action might“There is no sex in the BSA, period,” Dillon inflict emotional or psychological harm onwrote.“No heterosexuality, no homosexuality, the youth. Where a boy who openly states henone, end of story. There’s no blank on the has a girlfriend will be allowed to stay inScouting, a boy who might state he has aboyfriend will be asked to leave. ◗Ed. Note — This writer was dismissed from hisScouting program in Winston-Salem at the age14 in December 2000, under the Boy Scouts’policy on homosexual members and leaders.Q - N O T E S20 NOVEMBER 1 . 2008 • QNotesQ-Notes Not for Reproduction Q-Notes