Scouting America membership controversies and Ville Valo: Difference between pages

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{{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject Musicians -->

{{POV-check}}

| Name = Ville Valo

| Img = Ville_Valo.jpg

| Background = solo_singer

| Birth_name = Ville Hermanni Valo

| Born = {{birth_date_and_age|1976|11|22}}<br/><small>[[Vallila]], [[Finland]]</small>

| Died =

| Origin = Finland

| Instrument = [[Vocals]],[[Bass guitar|Bass]],[[Drums]],[[Guitar]],[[Piano]].

| Genre = [[HIM (band)#Genre|Debated]] |

| Occupation = [[Singer]], [[Songwriter]]

| Years_active = [[1983 in music|1983]] - Present

| Label =

| Associated_acts = [[HIM (band)|HIM]]

[[Daniel Lioneye]]

| URL = [http://www.heartagram.com/ Official website]

}}

'''Ville Hermanni Valo''' ({{Audio|Fi-Ville_Valo.ogg|pronunciation}}) (born [[November 22]], [[1976]]) is the [[vocalist]], [[songwriter]] and frontman of the [[Finland|Finnish]] [[Rock music|rock]] band [[HIM (band)|HIM]]. They have released five full length albums, and as of [[2006]], they are the first and only Finnish rock band to sell Gold in the [[United States]].

==Early life==

{{mergefrom|Scouting For All}}

Valo was born to a [[Finland|Finnish]] father named Kari and a mother of [[Hungarian people|Hungarian]] descent named Anita in a small suburb of Helsinki called [[Vallila]]. As a child, Ville was influenced by his music-loving parents, who exposed him to the songs of popular Finnish performers such as [[Tapio Rautavaara]] and [[Rauli Badding Somerjoki]], while an older cousin introduced him to the heavier sounds of bands like [[KISS (band)|KISS]], [[Black Sabbath]] and [[Iron Maiden]]. Valo's first musical step was as a three year old [[bongo drum|bongo]] drummer. At age nine, Valo attended the Pop and Jazz Conservatory in [[Helsinki]], where he studied several different musical genres. His father eventually opened a [[sex shop]] where Valo often worked before launching his career in music. Valo's father's [[sex shop]] is still in business today and doing well, according to interviews with Valo. His interests gradually expanded to include [[reggae]], early [[blues]] and country-oriented material such as [[Johnny Cash]], [[Roy Orbison]] and [[Neil Young]]. From a young age, Valo's enthusiasm for music also took a more active form of expression, and he participated in a large number of different Helsinki-based bands: B.L.O.O.D. (1986-89), Eloveena Boys (1987-88), Kemoterapia (1989-97) and numerous other, more obscure projects.

==Side Projects==

Several controversies have arisen surrounding the [[Boy Scouts of America]] (BSA) in recent years and some have resulted in litigation. Most are associated with BSA's position that the traditional values expressed in the [[Scout Promise|Scout Oath]] forbid atheists as members and avowed homosexuals in leadership positions. See BSA Core Values [http://www.bsalegal.org/corevalu-120.htm] and BSA Declaration of Religious Principle.[http://usscouts.org/aboutbsa/rp.html]

Apart from working with HIM, and side-project [[Daniel Lioneye]], Valo has kept busy in the music world, collaborating with many artists over the years. He contributed guest vocals for The 69 Eyes, on [[Apocalyptica]]'s album ''[[Apocalyptica (album)|Apocalyptica]]'' for the song "Bittersweet" (with [[The Rasmus]]' singer [[Lauri Ylönen]]), on [[The Bloodhound Gang]]'s ''[[Hefty Fine]]'' for the song "Something Diabolical", and on [[Cradle of Filth]]'s ''[[Thornography]]'' for the song "The Byronic Man". In 2007 he duetted with Polish German actress [[Natalia Avelon]] for a cover of [[Nancy Sinatra]] and [[Lee Hazlewood]]'s song "Summer Wine", part of the ''[[Das Wilde Leben]]'' soundtrack. A video featuring both was recorded as well.

<br>

==Definitions==

'''''Below is a list of Valo's side projects and collaborations.'''''

* ''[[Skreppers]] & Ville Valo (1995)

* ''[[Apocalyptica]] & Ville Valo (1996)

* ''[[The 69 Eyes]] & Ville Valo (1997)

* ''[[Tehosekoitin]] & Ville Valo (1999)

* ''The 69 Eyes & Ville Valo (1999)

* ''[[Neljä Ruusua]] & HIM (1999)

* ''[[Agents]]& Ville Valo - Paratiisi, Jykevää On Rakkaus, Ikkunaprinsessa(1999)

* ''[[Tributti Tuomari Nurmio]]: Ville Valo & Others (2000)

* ''[[The 69 Eyes]] & Ville Valo (2000)

* ''[[Musta Paraati]], Ville Valo, Gas Lipstick & Others (2001)

* ''[[Daniel Lioneye And The Rollers]]/Daniel Lioneye And The Blues Explosion (2001)

* ''[[The 69 Eyes]] & Thulsa Doom (2001)

* ''[[Five Fifteen]] & Ville Valo - The Prostitue & Season Of The Witch (2001)

* ''[[The 69 Eyes]] & Ville Valo (2002)

* ''[[The Skreppers]], Ville Valo, [[Migé Amour]] & [[Lily Lazer]] (2002)

* ''[[The Mission]] & Ville Valo (2002)

* ''[[Lowemotor Corporation]] & Ville Valo - Love Me (2003/2004)

* ''[[The Skreppers]] & Ville Valo (2004)

* ''[[The 69 Eyes]] & Ville Valo - Beneath the Blue (2004)

* ''[[Apocalyptica]] feat. Ville Valo & Lauri Ylönen - Bittersweet (2004) (FIN: #1, D: #6)

* ''Two Witches & Ville Valo - Dracula Rising (2005)

* ''[[Bloodhound Gang]] feat. Ville Valo - Something Diabolical (2005)

* ''[[Isabelle´s Gift]] feat. Ville Valo - If I Die Tonight (2006)

* ''[[Cradle of Filth]] feat. Ville Valo - The Byronic Man (2006)

* ''Ville Valo & [[Tommi Viksten]] - Kun Minä Kotoani Läksin (2006)

* ''[[Kari Tapio]] & Ville Valo - Tällä Pohjantähden Alla (2006)

* ''Ville Valo & [[Natalia Avelon]] - Summer Wine (2007) (FIN: #1, D: #2, AU: #4, CH: #2)

* ''Ville Valo & Manna - Just for Tonight (2007) ==

==[[HIM (band)|HIM]]==

These are definitions as used in this article:

{{main|HIM (band)}}

==Trivia==

*'''Adult'''- a person 18 years of age and up, male or female.

{{Trivia|date=June 2007}}

*'''Charter'''- BSA authorization for an organization to use the Scouting program.

[[Image:Kerranghim.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Ville Valo on the cover on Kerrang! magazine.]]

*'''Chartered organization'''- a religious, civic, fraternal, educational, or other community-based organization that has applied for and received a charter to use the Scouting program.[http://www.scouting.org/factsheets/02-507.html]

*[[Bam Margera]]'s character in the 2003 movie ''[[Haggard: The Movie|Haggard]]'' is named after Ville Valo.<ref name="imdb">http://www.imdb.com/name/nm</ref>

*'''Leader'''- a youth or adult serving in a leadership position (Assistant Patrol Leader, SPL, Scoutmaster, Troop Committee Member, etc.). Note that every adult (18 and older member of a BSA troop) is registered in a "leader" position. Every youth advancing to Star, Life or Eagle rank must serve in a leadership position and BSA runs National Youth Leadership Training. However, many use "leader" when they actually mean "adult."

*He makes a very small appearance in ''[[Jackass: Number Two]]''.<ref name="imdb" />

*'''Member'''- a youth or adult who is registered with BSA.

*He was voted as #13 on a television program in which people voted for who they thought were the greatest Finns of all time<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suuret_suomalaiset]</ref>

*'''Religious Organization'''- Churches and nondenominational ministries, interdenominational and ecumenical organizations, and other entities whose principal purpose is the study or advancement of religion. [http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p1828.pdf]

*He can also be seen in clips of episodes from [[Viva La Bam]] while they were in Finland.

*'''Scout'''- a registered youth member of a Boy Scout troop, synonymous with "Boy Scout".

*He has a number of tattoos, including a pair of [[Edgar Allan Poe]]'s eyes on his shoulder blades.<ref>[http://www.vanishingtattoo.com/tattoo/celeb-valo.htm VILLE VALO TATTOO PICS PHOTOS]</ref>

*'''Scouter''' - a registered adult member of the BSA

*He learned to walk with the help of the family dog Sami, and when the dog died, not only was he extremely upset, he also apparently developed his allergies to animals and [[asthma]] at the same time.<ref>http://www.tv.com/ville-valo/person//trivia.html</ref>

*'''Troop'''- the unit that conducts Boy Scouting for the chartered organization.

*He smokes about 60 cigarettes a day (around 21,900 a year) to give his voice a gruff, husky edge.<ref>http://www.tobacco.org/news/.html</ref>

*'''Youth'''- a boy or young man, 10 or 11 years old (rules apply to joining age) to 17 years old (under age 18).

*Valo is an avid reader and has indicated that he draws a large influence for his music from the books that he has read. Among his favorite authors he includes Finnish writer, [[Timo K. Mukka]], and American writers [[Edgar Allan Poe]] and [[Charles Bukowski]].

*Ville appears in the music video "Wasting the Dawn" by The 69 Eyes as Jim Morrison of The Doors.

* A song that he wrote "Passion's Killing Floor" on the new Album [[Venus Doom]] will appear on the [[Transformers soundtrack]].

==References==

Note: Venturing is a youth development program of BSA for young men and women who are 14 through 20 years of age (under age 21). The definitions above exclude Venturing for simplicity.

{{reflist|1}}

==External links==

==BSA membership standards==

*[http://www.nndb.com/people/266/000030176 Ville Valo] at Notable Names Database

*[http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1204517 Ville Valo] at Internet Movie Database

*[http://www.heartagram.com Official website] of [[HIM (band)|HIM]]

*[http://www.sweetville.net Ukrainian HIM website] of [[HIM (band)|HIM]]

*[http://www.himonline.tv UK HIM website] of [[HIM (band)|HIM]]

{{HIM}}

Most of the controversies are associated with the membership standards established by BSA.

{{DEFAULTSORT:Valo, Ville}}

===Origins of the membership standards===

[[Category:1976 births]]

[[Category:HIM]]

[[Category:Finnish singers]]

[[Category:People from Helsinki]]

[[Category:Living people]]

[[bg:Виле Вало]]

* The mission of the Boy Scouts of America is to prepare young people to make ethical choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law.

[[cs:Ville Valo]]

[[da:Ville Valo]]

*The [[Boy Scouts of America]] (BSA) was inspired by and modeled on the [[Scouting|Boy Scouts]], established by [[Robert Baden-Powell]] in Britain in 1907. The Boy Scouts of America was established in 1910 by [[William D. Boyce]].

[[de:Ville Valo]]

[[es:Ville Valo]]

* From the very first Scouting for Boys, where Baden-Powell wrote “No man is much good unless he believes in God and obeys His laws. So every Scout should have a religion” , to his “Last Message to the Scouts of the World”, where he wrote “Nature study will show you how full of beautiful and wonderful things God has made the world for you to enjoy” , [[Baden-Powell]] wrote numerous times on the relationship of religion to Scouting. For a more complete summary of his views on a religious element in Scouting see pages 29-33 in [http://www.scout.org/wsrc/ll/docs/spiritualdev_e.pdf#].

[[fr:Ville Valo]]

[[it:Ville Valo]]

* The [http://www.scouting.org/boyscouts/ Aims and Methods of Scouting] as taught in BSA leader training include the "Ideals" of the Scout Oath and Law which have been unchanged since 1910. The Oath and Law have always required a Scout to do his "Duty to God", to be "Morally Straight" and to be "Reverent".

[[nl:Ville Valo]]

[[ja:ヴィッレ・ヴァロ]]

* "The Charter and Bylaws of the Boy Scouts of America maintain that no boy can grow into the best kind of citizen without recognizing his obligation to God. Scouting is absolutely nonsectarian in its attitude toward that religious training. The Boy Scouts of America does not define what constitutes belief in God or the practice of religion." "A Scout's Duty to God and Country," 1998

[[no:Ville Valo]]

[[uz:Ville Valo]]

===Chartered organizations===

[[pl:Ville Valo]]

[[pt:Ville Valo]]

* Charters are issued by the Boy Scouts of America to community organizations to enable them to use the Scouting program under their own leadership as a service to children, youth, and families. The chartered organization actually selects and appoints the leaders of the Scout unit, who must also meet BSA standards. The Chartered Organizations also are the body that votes annually to elect the local District Chairman and Council President. These councils then elect the BSA National Board.

[[ro:Ville Hermanni Valo]]

[[sk:Ville Valo]]

* While most units are open to all boys who meet the BSA membership standards, chartered organizations do have the right to restrict participation in their Scouting program to youth of their choosing. For example, a church may decide to use the program as part of it's youth ministry. However, when such units do exist, the District should make sure that other nearby units are available to other youth of the community.

[[sl:Ville Valo]]

[[fi:Ville Valo]]

* Many civic and religious organizations have accepted such charters and make Scouting available to their members and the community. The [[Roman Catholic Church]] and the [[Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]] ([[Mormons]]) in particular have large numbers of Boy Scout members and leaders associated with their programs.

[[sv:Ville Valo]]

[[tr:Ville Valo]]

===Right to set standards===

BSA has the right to set its own membership standards based on the principle of "[[freedom of association]]"; this position was affirmed as constitutional by the US Supreme Court in 2000 in ''[[Boy Scouts of America v. Dale]]''.

==Current issues==

===Sexuality===

BSA policy states that "being a leader in the BSA is a privilege, not a right" and it has the right to select as leaders the best possible role models for the values espoused in the [[Scout Promise|Scout Oath]] and [[Scout Law]]. This has gone as high as the [[United States Supreme Court]], which ruled in ''[[Boy Scouts of America v. Dale]]'' that BSA is a private association with the right to set its own standards for membership and leadership.

BSA had a position statement in 1993 that prohibited avowed homosexuals as both leaders and members. It stated "The Boy Scouts of America has always reflected the expectations that Scouting families have had for the organization. They do not believe that homosexuals provide a role model consistent with these expectations. Accordingly, they do not allow for the registration of homosexuals as members or as leaders of the BSA." A more recent [http://www.bsalegal.org/morallys-156.htm policy] from 2004 excludes known or avowed homosexuals as leaders, but does not exclude youth members in non-leadership positions. However, it does require that all BSA members and leaders must be morally compliant with the [[Scout Promise|Scout Oath]] and [[Scout Law]].

Officially, BSA makes no effort to discover the [[sexual orientation]] of any person. Critics contend that some within BSA have investigated and expelled non-avowed homosexual [http://www.motherjones.com/news/update/2005/08/scouting.html employees]and[http://www.bsa-discrimination.org/html/review_bsa_gay_policy.html members] from the organization.

Individual councils, including the [[Central New Jersey Council]], [[Boston Minuteman Council]] and [[Old Colony Council]] have explained that they effectively follow a policy similar to the US Military's "[[Don't ask, don't tell]]" when it comes to sexual orientation. A spokesperson for the Boston Minuteman Council said in the Boston Globe in August 2001, "Discussions about sexual orientation do not have a place in Scouts. The Scouts will not inquire into a person's sexual history, and that person will not expose their sexual orientation one way or the other." The council argued that their "[[Don't ask, don't tell]]" policy does not conflict with BSA national policy and is common in other councils. Some believe that these councils' policies differ from BSA national policy.

[[The Scout Association]] of the [[United Kingdom]] and [[Scouts Canada]] do not restrict homosexuals from membership or leadership positions.

===Spirituality===

Members are required to abide by the Scout Oath and Scout Law [http://www.bsalegal.org/corevalu-120.htm (see Core Values)]. BSA's prohibition of youths and adults who do not agree to a "duty to God" as stated in the [[Scout Promise|Scout Oath]] has been controversial, especially to [[Atheists|atheists]] and [[Agnostics|agnostics]]. There is also a spiritual component to the [[Scout Law]], "A Scout is reverent".

BSA recognizes a religious element in the training of a Scout and its policy is that the home and the organization with which the member is connected shall give definite attention to religious life. BSA is nonsectarian in its attitude toward this religious training. Adult members are required to subscibe to the [http://usscouts.org/aboutbsa/rp.html Declaration of Religious Principle].

BSA does not define what constitutes a belief in God or the practice of religion. As a member of the [[World Organization of the Scout Movement]], BSA is required include a reference to [[God]] in the Scout Oath.[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scout_Promise#World_Organization_of_the_Scout_Movement_requirements] Religious organizations such as churches sponsor (are the chartered organization for) more than half of all Scout troops (about 65%[http://www.religionlink.org/tip_020624b.php]).

The "duty to God" requirement has led to a dispute over the National Scout Jamboree (see below).

===National Scout Jamboree===

The [[National Scout Jamboree]] is a large gathering of Scouts held once every four years. Historically, National Jamborees were held in state and national parks like other groups' gatherings, but mutual concerns by BSA and the government over the environmental impact of 35,000 Scouts camping in heavily used public places led to a 1978 agreement to use infrequently used military facilities instead. While only registered Scouts and leaders are allowed to camp at the Jamboree, the exhibits and shows are open to general public to visit.

Since 1981, the U.S. Army has allowed BSA to use Fort A.P. Hill in Virginia as the home of the National Jamboree, as authorized by Congress in 1972 through [http://www.defenselink.mil/dodgc/defense_ethics/resource_library/2005Deskbook/TabF/Army_Relations_with_Boyscouts.doc 10 U.S.C. 2554]. As part of the 1978 agreement, BSA paid for capital improvements at Fort A.P. Hill that are used by both the Jamboree and military encampments. BSA uses the facility for four weeks once every four years and it is available to the military for the rest of the time. The U.S. military regards the Jamboree as a unique public relations, recruitment and training opportunity, particularly in testing operations needed to support large scale military encampments or refugee tent cities.

The [[U.S. military]] has supported Jamborees since 1937. While most of the approximately $50 million dollar Jamboree expense is paid for by BSA and it's participants, during the four weeks of a National Jamboree operation about 1,500 troops and DOD contractors might be engaged in training operations supporting it. [[Defense Department]] funding for this support averages $2 million a year. A U.S. District Court judge ruled in June 2005 that funding this support is unconstitutional because "the BSA is a religious organization, requiring Scouts to affirm a belief in God."[http://www.ou.org/public/news/faith-scouts.htm]

The U.S. Department of Justice has appealed the ruling, arguing that the military’s support for the Jamboree does not violate the separation of church and state on the grounds that BSA is not a religious organization, and that the plaintiffs had no legal standing to bring the suit in the first place. [http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/religdisc/newsletter/focus_14.htm#5 (Summary)] [http://www.bsalegal.org/downloads/BSAAmicus.pdf (DOJ Brief)] The [http://www.bsalegal.org/downloads/SOSA.pdf Support Our Scouts Act of 2005], enacted December 30, 2005, provides for [http://www.bsalegal.org/supporto-241.htm continued Defense Department support of the Jamboree]; however, if the appeal is unsuccessful, the military will not be able to assist future Jamborees, including providing campsites at Fort A.P. Hill.[http://www.bsalegal.org/winklera-238.htm]

===Membership numbers reporting===

BSA has had problems with a few local Councils overstating membership numbers.[http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A45573-2005Jan28.html] Membership has been declining in the "traditional" Scouting programs of Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts as it has in Scouts Canada with differing policies [http://www.americasvoices.org/archives2004/ZeigerH/ZeigerH_081604.htm]. Cub Scouting had slightly fewer than 1.9 million members in 2004. Boy Scouts had slightly fewer than 1 million members. BSA is still the nation's largest youth organization, serving more than 4.5 million young people in all programs (including their Learning For Life subsidiary, which allows girls, gays, and atheists). All youth organization population trends need to be considered as percentage of "available youth", because as school age demographics swing over time, so does youth organization membership. [http://72.14.203.104/search?q=cache:tlF_fMLvaZkJ:www.bsawac.org/Flyers/BSA%2520Long%2520Range%2520Plan-2004.pdf+%22youth+organization%22+and+%22available+youth%22&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=12| Example] and [http://www.bsa-discrimination.org/html/bsa-membership.html Example].

A legally distinct program, "Learning for Life," operated in schools, has shown growth but does not have the same leadership requirements as its leaders are chosen from the school's faculty. [http://www.learning-for-life.org/lfl/programs/orientation/index.html] This program often uses donations or government grants to pay fees for participants. Attempts to stem declining enrollments have put pressure on some paid staffers to increase membership numbers leading to a few enrollment disputes. About five of the three hundred local councils have had their membership numbers questioned in the 2004-2005 period. A program for disadvantaged youth in Atlanta was found to have only 5,000 boys, not the 15,000 claimed. [http://www.11alive.com/news/printarticle.aspx?storyid=64159] Joseph Beasley, a Civil Rights leader and others believe even the revised count is far too high.[http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8109268/]

To help ensure that membership numbers are reported correctly, BSA adopted new membership validation procedures for use beginning in 2006. The volunteer Commissioner staff in each council will work with the professional staff to confirm the membership rolls of each Scout unit twice a year. The resulting membership validation report will be signed by local volunteer and paid staff and used to help ensure that membership numbers are accurate. [http://www.scouting.org/commissioners/newsletter/1-06.pdf]

===Public advocacy by leaders===

Following the military model on which it was based, BSA does not allow its commissioned leaders to use their leader status to express political opinions to the public or to youth members. Commissioned Leaders serve at the pleasure of both their chartered organization and BSA. Leaders can be removed for violating this policy through "Procedures for Maintaining Standards of Membership". A few leaders who have spoken out in the press about controversial issues have had their memberships revoked because they did not resign their commissions before publicly speaking on political subjects.

Dave Rice, who had 59 years in Scouting, was removed after publicly advocating that BSA allow homosexual members and leaders and "involving Scouting youth" in similar public political activity.[http://www.scoutingforall.org/mediacenter/dave.shtml] He was one of the founders of [[Scouting for All]], an advocacy organization publicly promoting different BSA membership policies.

Efforts to change BSA policies are supposed to follow the internal flow of elections of delegates and officers from Chartered Organization to local council to national. At the 2001 National Council meeting, a number of local councils asked the National Council to reconsider its leadership standards. In accordance with the by-laws, the resolution was referred to the volunteers of the Relationships Committee who considered the proposal. After consideration by the committee, a resolution reaffirming the existing membership standards was drafted and subsequently adopted by the National Executive Board in 2002. [http://www.scouting.org/nav/enter.jsp?s=xx&c=ds&terms=press&x=23&y=14]

==Recently resolved issues==

===Government chartered units===

Due to ACLU legal pressure, BSA in March 2005 agreed to transfer all unit charters issued to government entities to private entities [http://www.aclu-il.org/news/press/2005/03/national_boy_scout_organizatio.shtml] and to reject future unit charters that designate a government entity. The ACLU felt that direct sponsorship of Scout units by government entities violates the [[Establishment Clause]] of the [[First Amendment]] to the [[U.S. Constitution]] because government officials would have to exclude members who do not agree to an oath of "duty to God" (by reciting the Scout Oath).

As of November 2003, roughly 10,000 Scout troops and packs (approximately ten percent) were sponsored by government entities, primarily public schools. However, civic organizations such as the [http://www.legion.org/?section=pub_relations&subsection=pr_listreleases&content=pr_press_release&id=277&monthyear=April,2005 American Legion] have offered to become the new chartered organizations for such units. The rechartered units will have the right to meet in the schools and other public places under the Scouts Equal Access Act and the Support our Scouts Act.

===Equal access to public lands and facilities===

After the U.S. Supreme Court in [[Boy Scouts of America v. Dale]] affirmed BSA's right to set their own membership standards, some groups ran campaigns to have Scouts denied access to public property. [http://www.scoutingforall.org/3andmore.shtml See Item 5 here] [http://www.humaneventsonline.com/article.php?id=3813. and Here] Some schools discontinued or threatened to stop giving Scout units access to public lands and facilities [http://www.scoutingforall.org/aaic/districts1.shtml] [http://www.scoutingforall.org/aaic/broward1.shtml][http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/12111492.htm]

[http://frwebgate3.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/waisgate.cgi?WAISdocID=99401810419+0+0+0&WAISaction=retrieve]. Others [http://www.bsalegal.org/accessto-154.htm discontinued giving them ''special access'',][http://www.actwin.com/eatonohio/gay/miamibeach.html] such as access at a reduced cost compared with other groups. There were also inaccurate reports of loss of access in 2000; however the Congressional Research Service reported in 2001 that at least nine school districts had taken, or were considering, action to restrict Boy Scout access to public school facilities since the Supreme Court's Dale ruling.[http://www.nationalreview.com/nr_comment/nr_commentprint090100a.html][http://www.humaneventsonline.com/article.php?id=3813]. In response to this, Congress passed the following Acts, which are now federal law:

The [http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/boyscouts.html Boy Scouts of America Equal Access Act], 20 U.S.C. § 7905, effective January 8, 2002, requires public elementary and secondary schools, local educational agencies, and State educational agencies that receive [[U.S. Department of Education]] funds to provide any BSA group ''equal access'' to school premises or facilities if they provide an opportunity for other outside youth or community groups to meet there before or after school hours.

The [http://www.bsalegal.org/downloads/SOSA.pdf Support our Scouts Act of 2005], enacted December 30, 2005, authorizes denying federal [[United States Department of Housing and Urban Development|HUD]] funding to state or local government entities that deny Boy Scouts ''equal access'' to government facilities, forums, or programs. It, "also removes any doubt that federal agencies may welcome Scouts to hold meetings and go camping on federal property." In addition, it provides that federal law does not compel a federal agency from providing less support to Scouts than the agency has in the past, such as hosting the National Jamboree at Fort A.P. Hill".[http://www.bsalegal.org/supporto-241.htm] The legal controversy regarding Defense Department funding of the National Scout Jamboree is discussed above.

==Response to the issues==

===Litigation===

There have been 110 million members of the BSA over the past 95 years; fewer than two dozen leaders and members have ever sued BSA over its membership standards and all of these cases were eventually ruled in BSA's favor. In recent years, state and local governments have become more involved in litigation against BSA in response to its membership standards, sometimes with the assistance of the [[American Civil Liberties Union]] (ACLU).[http://www.bsalegal.org/litigati-153.htm] A number of lawsuits have been filed by the ACLU over issues such as BSA recruiting in public schools and government involvement with the BSA. (The ACLU has been awarded over a million dollars in attorney's fees in successful cases against government entities, paid by taxpayers, as authorized under the Civil Rights Act, 42 U.S. Code Sec. 1988.[http://www.legion.org/word/aclu.rtf].)

The following are links to pages on the [http://www.bsalegal.org/ BSA's Legal Issues Web Site] that discuss these issues:

*[http://www.bsalegal.org/litigati-153.htm Litigation background]

*[http://www.bsalegal.org/accessto-154.htm Litigation regarding access to government forums]

*[http://www.bsalegal.org/quot;dut-155.htm Litigation regarding Scouting’s “duty to God”]

*[http://www.bsalegal.org/morallys-156.htm Litigation regarding Scouting’s duty to be “morally straight”]

*[http://www.bsalegal.org/teaching-157.htm Litigation regarding girls seeking membership]

*[http://www.bsalegal.org/faqs-113.htm Legal issue Frequently Asked Questions]

===United Way funding===

BSA is a non-profit organization that depends on charitable donations to operate. About 53 of the 1350 local [[United Way]] chapters have withdrawn funding from local Scout councils because of local pressure or policy.[http://www.scoutingforall.org/aaic/unitedway2.shtml]

===Special access to public lands and facilities===

Since the homosexuality debate surfaced, several municipal governments have refused to let Boy Scouts use their facilities at a discounted rate (which had been the usual practice).[http://www.bsalegal.org/accessto-154.htm] (For more information, see: [[Controversies about the Boy Scouts of America#Equal access to public lands and facilities| Equal access to public lands and facilities]].)

===Religious organization response===

* BSA policy has also led to disagreement between BSA and the [[Unitarian Universalist Association]] (UUA) (see [[Unitarian Universalism]] and [http://www.uua.org/news/scouts/ www.uua.org]). The UUA has acceptance as one of its defining beliefs, including respect and inclusion of atheists, gays, and lesbians. BSA had long recognized UUA religious emblems, along with those of many other [[religion]]s. In 1993, the UUA added information about its acceptance of homosexuality to the award program manual. Five years later, BSA responded by withdrawing recognition of the emblems, and instructing Scouts not to wear them. The UUA attempted to compromise, removing language that BSA considers offensive from its official program manuals and informing young Unitarian Universalist Boy Scouts of the UUA viewpoint regarding tolerance through other means. However, BSA did not accept the UUA alternative and some Universalist Scouters side with BSA. The UUA continues its Boy Scout program and encourages Boy Scouts to wear the Unitarian Universalist religious emblems on their uniforms.

* In 2001, the Commission on Social Action of the Union for Reform Judaism issued a [http://www.urj.org/csa/boyscoutsmemo3/ memorandum] recommending congregations stop chartering/hosting BSA troops and packs and that parents withdraw their children from Scouting. The Commission cited the Reform commitment to ending discrimination in all forms. Other Jewish organizations have stated that the BSA position is in accordance with Rabinical Law and wish to continue the opportunities that Scouting has given to Jewish youth, who were often discriminated against by other youth organizations. [http://www.jewishscouting.org/njcs/opinion/Lockshin.pdf]

* One of BSA's largest chartered partners is the [[Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]] ("LDS Church"; see also [[Mormon]]), which opposes homosexuality. The church has supported BSA, both financially and by providing members, throughout BSA's existence. Scouting is part of the church's youth program, and most LDS boys who attend church are enrolled as Scouts as a matter of routine. LDS leadership has threatened to withdraw its use of the Scouting program if it were compelled to accept openly homosexual Scout leaders[http://www.mormonstoday.com/000430/N1GayScouts02.shtml], however, it currently sponsors [[Scouts Canada]], which does not restrict homosexuals from membership or leadership positions. (LDS uses Mormon Scout leaders).

===Congressional response===

Both the US House of Representatives and the US Senate have voted overwhelmingly to continue support of the Boy Scouts of America program. In November 2004, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a resolution by a vote of 391 to 3 applauding BSA for its contributions to the nation. The US Senate vote in August 2005 was 98 to 0 in favor of continued federal support of BSA including the National Jamboree. In August 2005, President Bush addressed the BSA National Jamboree and reinterated his support for the BSA program. BSA's Legal Issues Web Site has extensive links to editorials supporting the Boy Scout program.[http://www.bsalegal.org/whatothe-123.htm]

==See also==

*[[Boy Scouts of America]]

*[[Scout Promise|Scout Oath/Promise]]

*[[Scout Law]]

*[[Scouting]]

*[[World Organization of the Scout Movement]]

*[[Tolerance]]

*[[Discrimination]]

*[[Morality]]

*[[Separation of Church and State]]

*[[Equal opportunity]]

*[[God]]

==External links==

* [http://www.press.uchicago.edu/Misc/Chicago/517047.html "The 'Problem' of God in the Boy Scouts"]

* [http://www.scouting.org/media/press/2002/020206/index.html BSA Board Affirms Traditional Leadership Standards- February 2002]

* [http://www.scouting.org/pubs/gss/gss01.html Guide to Safe Scouting- Youth Protection & Adult Leadership]

* [http://www.scoutbase.org.uk/library/hqdocs/eqopps/index.htm Equal Opportunities Policy of The Scout Association of the United Kingdom]

* [http://www.bsalegal.org/ Boy Scouts of America Legal Issues Web Site]

* [http://www.uua.org/news/scouts/050316_statement.html On disagreement within Unitarian Universalist Association]

* [http://www.scoutingforall.org/ Scouting For All]

* [http://www.hanszeiger.net/id11.html Scout Honor Coalition]

* [http://www.religioustolerance.org/bsa.htm Ontario Consultants on Religous Tolerance's Webpage on the BSA]

* [http://www.scouting.org/ Boy Scouts of America, National Council]

* [http://www.saveourscouts.com Save Our Scouts]

* [http://www.bsalegal.org/supporto-241.htm Support Our Scouts Act of 2005 passed]

* [http://www.eaglescoutrally.org/ Eagle Scout Rally for Tradition Foundation]

* [http://www.defendscouting.com/sldf/ Scouting Legal Defense Fund]

* [http://www.scout.org/front/index.shtml World Organization of the Scout Movement]

* [http://scoutmaster.typepad.com/my_weblog/discrimination_in_the_bsa/index.html Scoutmaster Web Log]

* [http://users.aol.com/randywoo/bsahis/women.htm Women in Scouting]

[[Category:Contentious issues about the Boy Scouts of America|*]]]

[[Category:Controversies]]