San Francisco Scouts: "Don't Ask and Don't Tell"

The San Francisco Examiner reported in mid-December 1996 that the San Francisco Bay Area Council of Boy Scouts, representing 33,000 Scouts and 5,500 Scout leaders in San Francisco and Alameda counties, had quietly approved a policy that would allow gay men and boys to participate in Scout activities as long as members did not openly advocate homosexuality. Modeled on the armed forces' "don't ask, don't tell" policy, it would forbid Scout leaders to question members or other leaders about their sexual orientation and "... allow [youths] to live as children and enjoy scouting without immersing them in the politics of the day."

Gay-rights advocates praised the move, as it runs counter to the Boy Scouts' long-standing opposition to homosexuals in their ranks. Not so the naysayers. The mere suggestion that the Boy Scouts might amend their position, even slightly, was enough to flood the organization's national headquarters in Irving, Texas, with calls from those taking exception to the proposal.

Greg Shields, spokesman for the Scout's national office, insists that it does not mandate inquiries on sexual orientation and does not include questions about sexual orientation on its standard application forms. But it does allow local councils to question leaders about their sexuality, he said. "'Don't ask, don't tell' is a phrase that The Boy Scouts doesn't really like," Shields said.

The Scouts, a private organization with 4.2 million members, has barred homosexuals since its founding in 1910. The ban has withstood several legal challenges, including a 1981 lawsuit now under review by the California Supreme Court. That suit was brought by a former Eagle Scout who was dismissed as an assistant scoutmaster after he disclosed his homosexuality.