I thought exactly the same thing as Peter McGraith who is the leader of the Transatlantic Council of Boy Scouts of America, after listening to the speech and reading the PDF transcript (to make sure I got it right):
Peter McGraith, the gay leader of the Transatlantic Council of Boy Scouts of America, called the vote "an expedient move to preempt legal action against BSA national, rather than a genuine attempt to make BSA inclusive."
Why?
Because of this (from the transcript):
ON MONDAY, JULY 27, THE NATIONAL EXECUTIVE BOARD RATIFIED A RESOLUTION REMOVING THE NATIONAL RESTRICTION ON OPENLY GAY ADULT LEADERS AND EMPLOYEES. THIS FOLLOWS THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, WHICH ADOPTED THE RESOLUTION EARLIER IN JULY. THIS MEANS CHARTERED ORGANIZATIONS WILL CONTINUE TO SELECT THEIR OWN ADULT LEADERS. RELIGIOUS CHARTERED ORGANIZATIONS MAY CONTINUE TO USE RELIGIOUS BELIEFS AS A CRITERION FOR SELECTING ADULT LEADERS, INCLUDING IN MATTERS OF SEXUALITY. SCOUTING’S MEMBERS AND PARENTS WILL CONTINUE TO SELECT LOCAL UNITS, CHARTERED TO ORGANIZATIONS WITH SIMILAR BELIEFS THAT BEST MEET THE NEEDS OF THEIR FAMILIES.
With the majority of units partnered with religious organizations it begs the question of what this really does except cover the BSA (and are we sure that B isn't standing for Bullshit right now too?). If you look at the other language as well being used you'll notice that nowhere in the transcripts do they talk about:
1. The past mistakes of their policy.
OR
2. Anything positive - whatsoever - about the LGBT community.
So they're doing it to not get sued but leaving in a loophole to still be bigoted.
I guess they'll count that as a win huh?
Here's to hoping the Bullshit Bigoted Boy Scouts Of Straight America get a MF clue.
