Two Boy Scout leaders have been chastised by officials from the organization and told to sign an apology letter for marching with several uniformed Scouts in the Utah Pride Parade
in Salt Lake City two weeks ago. The two leaders, Peter Brownstein and
Neil Whitaker marched in the June 2 parade to celebrate the
organization's historic vote
last month to allow gay youths. Officials with the Boy Scouts of
America's Great Salt Lake Council, however, say Brownstein and Whitaker
violated the organization's policy prohibiting the use of Scouting to
promote a "political agenda."
The two men were told to sign a letter of apology for "violation of
BSA policies and disobedience," but have refused, saying they were not
advancing a "political" agenda but celebrating a "cultural" event.
"We weren't rallying for a politician or
political event," Whitaker said. "To me, it was being supportive of my
fellow human beings."
Current BSA policy states "no person, youth, or adult may use
Scouting to promote sexual orientation or any other political or social
agenda." Scouts and Scout leaders are permitted to participate in pride
parades as supportive citizens but not as uniformed members of the BSA.
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