Gay Today: World

German Scouts Oppose
American Scouts' Anti-Gay Policy

Compiled by GayToday
Courtesy of Scouting for All

Frankfurt, Germany-- The Federation of German Scout Organizations (RdP) and the Union of German Girl Guide Association (RDP) have sent a "Resolution Opposing the Boy Scouts of America's Policy of Discrimination Against Gay Youth and Adults" to Mr. Richard L. Burdick of the Boy Scouts of America.

The Resolution:

The Federation of German Scout Organizations (RdP) and the Union of German Girl Guide Association (RDP) noted with great concern the resolution on 'traditional values' of Boy Scouts of America, which states that 'an avowed homosexual cannot serve as a role model for the traditional values espoused in the Scout Oath and Law'. RdP and RDP understand the Scout Movement on local, national and international level as a movement, which is open to all and does not discriminate people within the movement as well as a movement which stands up against discrimination outside the movement.

This is reflected in the constitutions of the World Organization of the Scout Movement stating that 'The Scout Movement ... is open to all, without discrimination of origin, race or creed' and noted more specifically in the resolution number 5 on Equal Opportunities from the European Scout Conference in Prague, July 2001, 'not consider homosexuality a reason for any kind of discrimination within or outside Scouting'.

RdP and RDP draw attention to the worldwide character of the Scout and Guide Movement and with it the fact that resolutions from national organizations do influence the Scout and Guide Movement in other parts of the world.

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The resolution on 'traditional values' of Boy Scouts USA has therefore a negative influence on the opinion of the German public towards Scouting and Guiding. RdP and RDP state therefore that no member organization of the World Organization of the Scout Movement should make any discriminatory policy against homosexuals and urges the National Officers of the Boy Scouts of America to reconsider its discriminatory policies."

Yours in Scouting,
Tiemo Slodowy
cc: World Scout Bureau
Interamerican Scout Bureau
European Scout Bureau
BSA Transatlantic Council