As you sow, so shall you reap....
Jul. 12th, 2006 12:09 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
patgundIf an organization argues that because they're private, they can be allowed to discriminate, then they shouldn't cry discrimination when they run afoul of a city's regulations about nonprofits.
Sea Scouts appeal speech ruling
"The California Supreme Court ruled in March that Berkeley did not violate the rights of the youth sailors connected to the Boy Scouts of America when it demanded marina fees because the group violates a city anti-discrimination policy.
The city revoked free berthing privileges for the Berkeley Sea Scouts because the Boy Scouts bar atheist and gay members, which violates the city's 1997 policy to provide free berthing to nonprofits that don't discriminate.
City officials told the Sea Scouts that the group could retain its berthing subsidy, valued at about $500 monthly per boat, if it broke ties with the Boy Scouts or disavowed the policy against gays and atheists."
As a former scout myself, I have to sadly agree with Berkeley's position - because it's become more and more obvious that the BSA is forgetting more and more the meaning of the Scouts Oath. They don't want to have to follow the same rules as other non-profits, they want special rights because they're the Boy Scouts, and screw the fact that all other groups have to follow those rules to gain those benefits. It's a bit hard for me to sympathize with a group that argues a constitutional right to discriminate while holding their hand out for public funds.
Sea Scouts appeal speech ruling
"The California Supreme Court ruled in March that Berkeley did not violate the rights of the youth sailors connected to the Boy Scouts of America when it demanded marina fees because the group violates a city anti-discrimination policy.
The city revoked free berthing privileges for the Berkeley Sea Scouts because the Boy Scouts bar atheist and gay members, which violates the city's 1997 policy to provide free berthing to nonprofits that don't discriminate.
City officials told the Sea Scouts that the group could retain its berthing subsidy, valued at about $500 monthly per boat, if it broke ties with the Boy Scouts or disavowed the policy against gays and atheists."
As a former scout myself, I have to sadly agree with Berkeley's position - because it's become more and more obvious that the BSA is forgetting more and more the meaning of the Scouts Oath. They don't want to have to follow the same rules as other non-profits, they want special rights because they're the Boy Scouts, and screw the fact that all other groups have to follow those rules to gain those benefits. It's a bit hard for me to sympathize with a group that argues a constitutional right to discriminate while holding their hand out for public funds.
