First of all, that's a cop-out, and cowards run the BSA. Tucking tail and folding is completely against everything I learned while a scout. (Note: that's assuming they aren't fully in favor of these policy changes, which I seriously doubt.)
Secondly, for how long will that remain? The BSA has already indicated its intended policy is to fold before lawsuits. Just how long until it's no longer a choice?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boy_Scouts_of_America_membership_controversies#Litigation_regarding_access_to_governmental_resourcesAnd those are just some of the bigger lawsuits. Again, every leftie group has been engaged in lawfare against the BSA. Remember what was happening to Gun manufacturers before the Lawful protect of Firearms in Commerce Act? Most times, the Bloomberg-backed groups did really not care if they won or lost, just making the various manufacturers spend money on defending themselves in court was a victory. Death by 1,000 cuts.
And you may not want to hear it, but the country has changed. The vast majority has a "live and let live" attitude with regards to homosexuality.
In March 2013, the BSA invited its members to take an online survey about the LGBT ban. The survey asked multiple questions, one of which explored the role of gay youth in Scouting:
Tom started in the program as a Tiger Cub, and finished every requirement for the Eagle Scout Award at 16 years of age. At his board of review Tom reveals that he is gay. Is it acceptable or unacceptable for the review board to deny his Eagle Scout award based on that admission?"
Accord to results released by the BSA, 78% of parents felt it was unacceptable to deny the Scout his Eagle award simply because of his orientation, while only 18% felt it was acceptable. Teens and Scouting Alumni who completed the survey responded similarly
And those numbers track with the rest of the Nation.
Plus look at the list of corporations, their foundations, and other non-profits that have pulled their funding. I heard that our council used to routinely raise $500k-$700K a year just in Corporate and Non-Profit giving. Last year we struggled to raise $125k. Part of that may be the economy, but instead of donations simply getting smaller, they have disappeared altogether. And often the stated reason is the gay issue.
So it's really hard to stand on principle when you can't pay your lawyer to defend you in court. You can either have a program or string of lawyers on retainer.
And all that is BEFORE little Timmy cuts himself with his dull pocket knife at summer camp, Soccer-Mommy wigs out while calling her lawyer.
And I know that the Chicago area Council sold their Summer camp out near Yorkville to pay off lawyers and legal claims from the molestation cases of the late 90's, early 2000's when that *expletive deleted*it came out. Corporate sponsors ran like cockroaches in a kitchen when you hit the light switches...
Makattack,since you are an Eagle. Why don't you go to your local troop, and talk to them. The program really needs Former Scouts, especially Eagles to uphold the standards and set the example. Again each chartering org sets their rules regarding gay and transgender. You can easily find ones that don't allow either as a matter of principle.
I lost my respect for the BSA (I was a Boy Scout) when, as an adult, I was invited to a local Troop's camp out to teach survival skills. At each step, the scouts were encouraged to fail by the leaders. "You're supposed to achieve (objective A) but if you just try, you'll get your merit badge." I was invited back later but declined.
I agree that's bullshit. The requirement is to complete whatever the requirement states. "Close Enough" ain't. We are sticklers for doing what the book says. So our boys know when they earn it, they've achieved something.
