Philadephia vs. the Boy Scouts

If I had $200,000 right now, I know exactly what I would do with it.

I read in the newspaper this morning that the city of Philadelphia has decided to charge the Boy Scouts of America $200,000 in rent if they don’t allow gays to join their ranks. The Cradle of Liberty Council has paid $1 annually in rent for the past 80 years, but now the city has decided that because the Scout’s meeting place is on city property, they can no longer enjoy their rent free status while maintaining their policy toward gays.

My first question is why Philadelphia has just now decided that this is a violation of city policy. A city ordinance in 1982 stated that it was illegal to discriminate based on sexual orientation, an ordinance which I don’t believe applies to the Boy Scouts of America as a private organization. The ordinance was passed in 1982 and there hasn’t been a problem until now?? They’ve just now decided that the Scouts aren’t politically correct??

The city states they are not punishing the Scouts because of their no-gay policy, but because they are congregating on city property. The city says they can’t break ordinance and get free rent too.

it’s sad that Philadelphia has chosen to discount all the good that the Boy Scouts of America do for the city, just to be politically correct and accommodating. The city claims it’s not about punishing the scouts, but they could very easily do the decent thing and continue with the dollar rent. It would harm not a single person. Philadelphia has chosen not what is right, nor what is decent, but what is self-serving.

Thank goodness that The Cradle of Liberty Council has not chosen to compromise their values. If I had the large amount of money that the city is asking for for rent, I would make sure that the Scouts were able to continue enriching the lives of every young man who participates in their council. The Scouts stand for what is good and right, and it would be a shame to see them not able to fund the activities that they need to thrive.

Tags: Boy Scouts of America, Cradle of Liberty Council, Philadelphia , Boy Scouts anti-gay policy