From: anthropo@carina.unm.edu (Dominick V. Zurlo)
Subject: Re: [UPI] "Queer Nation Milwaukee to boycott United Way"
Date: Wed, 26 Aug 92 15:07:53 GMT
Organization: University of New Mexico, Albuquerque

In article <1992Aug26.011106.14665@uwm.edu> dpfabie@csd4.csd.uwm.edu (David Paul Fabie) writes:
>Here we go again. . . .
 
Damn right.
>
>From the "Gee, since they can't win against ROTC, why not go for the next
>best thing" department, Queer Nation here in Milwaukee has declared that
>the BSA ban on Homosexuals is "child abuse".    The target is the United
>Way for funding Milwaukee County Council.  The issue here is not one of
>discrimination.  Gay activists have no desire to "open Scouting for all
>youth and adults"  This is a politically and publicity -motivated attack
>that if successfull will only server to hurt the youth of Milwaukee.  I
>would direct your attention to the case in San Fransisco.  Who were the
>biggest losers??  Inner-city kids in the Bay Area and Oakland who no longer
>have a Scouting program.  

First, several things, not being in Milwaukee, I don't have first hand 
expereince with what is happening re: the United Way  and BSA funding there,
however, I do know who the biggest losers are, and you are absolutely
correct, it's the kids.  Kids who are told that they are great and 
wonderful, and are taught lots about everything from hiking to biology to
shooting sports, etc... They are also taught that being gay is WRONG!!
Tell me, why do you think that one of the most influential youth 
organizations in the world should have the right to traumatize thousands 
of gay kids????  Now, I'm one of the first to say that the kids who suffer
are the ones who need the types of programs Scouting offers the most, but
at the same time,it should be under a positive program, not negative, as
the BSA is towards gays.  Yes, the BSA is a private organization, sort of.
It gets a lot of it's support from the US government.  I can't tell you
how much government food has passed through these hands for summer camp
meals.  (And that's just one example.)
>
>Unlike its Bay Area counterpart the United Way here in Milwaukee broke off
>relations with the National Organization in response to the scandals galore
>that were plaguing it.  So there is hope that the UW here will not fall
>prey to the same opportunistic poltical pressure that has so hurt Scouting
>in San Fransisco.  The issue here is not are gays suited to be role models
>for youth.  The issue is the right of a private organization to set
>standards for its membership.  I don't agree with the Catholic Church's
>stance on Women being unfit to be clergy.  But I respect and accept their
>right as a private organization to set such standards.  The ramifications
>for all private groups should the BSA lose are staggering.

It's not a question of private organizations, it's a question of
discrimination.  It is a question of gays being role models.  If you think 
not, then you aren't thinking!  And you're right, the ramifications if
the BSA loses are staggering! Civil Rights for all!! What a concept!
 >
>Destroying the BSA will not win Gays acceptance or civil rights.  It will
>however, make you a great many more enemies than you have now.

 Apparently, you don't listen or just haven't been listening.  Those of 
us interested in getting the BSA to allow gays in the org. want to do 
so to be involved with the org.  Not to destroy it.  No one is denying
the ramifications and the problems that will come out of this funding 
boycott, but we are willing to pick up the pieces afterwards.  And if the
BSA doesn't revers it's decision, then maybe at least it won't cause any
mor trauma to gay kids.  God only knows there's enough trauma that kids
go through.  Why do you want to continue to sustain it.  

>
>-- 
>---------------------------------------------------------------------------
>David Paul Fabie                   * "Remember! Editors never reject.  We
>University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee  *  merely select." - David Kirby
>--------------------------------------------------------------------------

 In short, which would you rather have, an organization that oppresses,
or one that supports and nurtures kids.
WWW
Dominick V. Zurlo,
Eagle Scout,
former Lodge Chief for Meechgalanne, Essex Council, NJ
terminated employee from Valley Forge Council, PA for being GAY.

Newsgroups: rec.scouting,alt.discrimination,chi.general,alt.atheism,alt.politics.homosexuality