Resolved: The Boy Scouts of America should end its policy banning gay membership.

I affirm the resolution and stand on the PRO. There will be no parameters established on my side, so I will only move on toward the points of my case.Contention 1: The policy is discriminatory.By maintaining this policy in the organization, the organization is being discriminatory against the homosexual minority. This organization is treating members of another group of people differently than they would if they were from the heterosexual male majority, which is the epitome of what characterizes discrimination. Sub-point 1a: Discrimination is based on reasoning inherently prejudiced against homosexuals.When done based on necessity or merit, discrimination can be permissible to some extent, but this is not what the organization does. Based on the commentary exemplified in the following, the action of prohibiting membership is influenced by the organization's proclivity against homosexuality: "While the BSA does not proactively inquire about the sexual orientation of employees, volunteers, or members, we do not grant membership to individuals who are open or avowed homosexuals or who engage in behavior that would become a distraction to the mission of the BSA...The organization further stated that, while it does not condone same-sex attraction in the BSA, it does not condemn anyone who wants to talk about same at home, with caregivers or spiritual advisers." This case from one of the parents of a boy scout member explains the reasoning as to why homosexuals are banned from the organization: " My 7-year-old son, Cruz, loves being a Cub Scout, and he really loved when I got to be his pack’s den leader. But the Boy Scouts of America asked me to step down as the leader of my son’s group — just because I’m gay. Cruz doesn’t understand why that matters, and frankly, neither do I. When Cruz told us last year that he wanted to be a Boy Scout, my partner and I were concerned. We knew the organization has discriminated against families like ours before. But the other families in Cruz’s group were so welcoming and supportive — they even asked me to be a den leader on the first day. One year later, our fears came to life. A representative of the Boy Scouts of America abruptly told me I was no longer welcome — that because I’m gay, I didn’t ‘meet the high standards of membership that the Boy Scouts of America seek.’ Sub-point 1b: Defense of the discrimination is based on incongruous reasoning.Not only is the claim that there is no agenda inconsistent with previous statements made by the organization on this issue, but the defense for the discrimination is incongruous because the action at which they are handling the situation in no way relates to the intent, based on a comment by a spokseman of the organization: "We don't have an agenda on this issue. We don't ask about peopleâ€™s sexuality. The policy is the way it is, because we do not believe that our youth development program is the right place to have this discussion." Contention 2: The policy conflicts with the integrity of the community. Rather than emphasizing diversity, this organization's sanctification of discrimination does nothing but polarize the mindset of youth in their attitudes toward homosexuals, jeopardizing the relationship between heterosexuals and homosexuals. This, in turn, can jeopardize the tolerance of homosexuals or the plight toward it.Sub-point 2a: Denying the exposure to BSA members in group activities only serves to emphasize condemnation and stereotyping of homosexuals.Comparing the policy to the recently-repealed DADT, the effect of denying exposure to heterosexuals of homosexuals only serves to emphasize negative stereotyping as a report on the repeal of DADT explains: "More are left to only imagine what service with an openly gay person would be like – the circumstances in which misconceptions and stereotypes fill the void, for lack of actual experience,” the report states. Those who do have experience with gay service members in their troops don’t seem to uphold the same stereotypes bcause of their real experience."Sub-point 2b: The condemnation of homosexuals in the community leads to negative consequences.Negative attitudes about homosexuality can lead to rejection by friends and family, discriminatory acts and violence that harm specific individuals, and laws and policies that adversely affect the lives of many people; this can have damaging effects on the health of MSM and other sexual minorities. Homophobia, stigma and discrimination can: Limit MSM's ability to access high quality health care that is responsive to health issues of MSM Affect income, employment status, and the ability to get and keep health insurance Contribute to poor mental health and unhealthy behaviors, such as substance abuse, risky sexual behaviors, and suicide attempts Affect MSM's ability to establish and maintain long-term same-sex relationships that reduce HIV & STD risk Make it difficult for some MSM to be open about same-sex behaviors with others, which can increase stress, limit social support, and negatively affect health The effects of homophobia, stigma and discrimination can be especially hard on adolescents and young adults. Young MSM and other sexual minorities are at increased risk of being bullied in school. They are also at risk of being rejected by their families and, as a result, are at increased risk of homelessness. A study published in 2009 compared gay, lesbian, and bisexual young adults who experienced strong rejection from their families with their peers who had more supportive families. The researchers found that those who experienced stronger rejection were: 8.4 times momore likely to report high levels of depression 3.4 times more likely to use illegal drugs 3.4 times more likely to have risky sex 4.0 times more likely to commit suicide