Tag Archives: Boy Scouts

California

California Judges barred from Boy Scouts

According to an article in today’s (26 Jan) Los Angeles Daily Journal, the California Supreme Court has voted unanimously to bar judges and justices in the state from being a part of the Boy Scouts, because of that organization’s discriminatory practices and policies.

The article (behind a paywall,of course), notes that this was first suggested some 13 years ago, but the idea went down in flames.  It has been raised several times since then, but has always had opposition from the far right. And more opposition is expected to this latest ruling. No statement or rationale accompanies the ruling.  The chair of the Ethics committee,Justice Richard Fybel of the 4th District, who recommended the measure, said it was “the right thing to do.”

The right wing, of course, has slammed the decision as ‘tyrannical’.  they are the same ones that claim this will forbid judges from being members of churches.  Purest hyperbole, though, has not won this time, and it’s about time.

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Going After Anti-Gay Tax Exempt Status

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Measure would revoke California tax exempt status of Boy Scouts and other groups that discriminate against LGBT community

by Brian Leubitz

Sen. Ricardo Lara, Chair of the Legislative Latino Caucus in addition to being a member of the LGBT caucus, is working with a number of LGBT focused organizations to strip California tax exempt status from discriminatory groups:

The Youth Equality Act, sponsored by Sen. Ricardo Lara, D-Long Beach, would deny tax-exempt status to youth groups that discriminate on the basis of gender identity, race, sexual orientation, nationality, religion or religious affiliation.

That means those groups would have to pay corporate taxes on donations, membership dues, camp fees and other sources of income, as well as sales taxes on food, beverages and homemade items sold at fundraisers.(Lisa Leff/HuffPo)

The Boy Scouts cite the many good things they do, which are many, as a reason to keep their tax exempt status.  But apparently, those good things don’t apply to gay teens.

This bill, which is the first of its kind in the nation, has a long way to go, but with the partisan breakdown of the Legislature, the biggest question is what Gov. Brown will do with it. Of course, the Boy Scouts could just end their discrimination, and not have to worry about the bill at all. Their is talk of a resolution that would end the discrimination, but no official proposal has been released.