Zach Wahls Destroys Anti-Gay Activist in Boy Scout Debate on CNN: VIDEO

CNN's Don Lemon covered the Boy Scouts' gay ban in a segment Sunday in which two Eagle Scouts appeared: Scouts for Equality's Zach Wahls and John Stemberger, an anti-gay activist with the Florida Family Policy Council who started an organization for homophobes opposed to gays in the BSA called On My Honor.

Stemberger said that opening the Boys Scouts to gay people will destroy it and there is not way that the Catholics, the LDS, or the Baptists will allow it. He also tried to argue that the Boy Scouts are actually fine with gays in their organization, and there's not a "witch hunt" against those that are in it because they are "appropriate, discreet, and not loud and proud."

Wahls, when given his opportunity, calmly destroyed him:

"When people try to say that this is about, you know, 'open' or 'avowed' homosexuality, it's really just a code word for the problem they have with gay people. Being an 'open gay person' is not a whole lot different from being a closeted gay person except for the fact that you have somebody trying to lie and violate the very first part of the Scout law which is that a Scout is trustworthy."

Watch, AFTER THE JUMP...

Family Research Council Caught Stealing, Lying: PHOTOS

Does the Family Research Council believe thou shalt not lie, thou shalt not steal?

Is their character morally straight?

Apparently not, because supersleuth Jeremy Hooper at Good As You caught them lying and stealing in a video attacking the idea of inclusive scouting. The hate group apparently needed a visual for its video, so they found one and said it was of Boy Scouts officials holding a policy meeting.

Hooper writes:

FRC simply Photoshopped a Boy Scout logo and a "2013 Policy Meeting" placard onto an existing picture that they lifted from another site. The picture in question is actually from the website LegalGeekery.com and is described as being from the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts:

Boy Scouts Look Set to End Ban on Gay Scouts But Not Gay Leaders

The Boy Scouts appear set to end their ban on gay scouts, Reuters reports:

If the vote is approved, "no youth may be denied membership in the Boy Scouts of America on the basis of sexual orientation or preference alone," Deron Smith, the organization's spokesman, told Reuters.

Smith noted that the decision drew from three months of research, surveys and discussions and was "among the most complex and challenging issues facing the BSA and society today."

The AP writes:

Under pressure over its longstanding ban on gays, the Boys Scouts of America is proposing to lift the ban for youth members but continue to exclude gays as adult leaders.

The Scouts announced Friday that it would submit this proposal to the roughly 1,400 voting members of its National Council at a meeting in Texas the week of May 20.

The resolution must still be ratified by the organization's board in May.

UPDATE:

Jennifer Tyrrell, lesbian Scout leader ousted as her 7 year-old son's den leader via letter on April 17, 2012, released this statement today:

"One year after sending a letter ousting me as my son's leader, the Boy Scouts are once again forcing me to look my children in the eyes and tell them that our family isn't good enough," said Ohio mom Jennifer Tyrrell. "My heart goes out to the young adults in Scouting who would be able to continue as scouts if this is passed, but then be thrown out when they reach the age to become leaders."

GLAAD added:

"Yet again, the Boy Scouts of America has failed its members, corporate sponsors, donors and the millions of Americans who agree that the time to end discrimination in Scouting is now," said Rich Ferraro, Vice President of Communications at GLAAD. "By refusing to consider an end to its ban on gay and lesbian parents, the Boy Scouts have missed an opportunity to exercise leadership and usher the organization back to relevancy. We're living in a culture where, until every parent and young person have the same opportunity to serve, the Boy Scouts will continue to see a decline in both membership and donations."

Gay-Friendly Scouting Organization Reports Massive Growth

The gay-friendly scouting alternative to the Boy Scouts, called Navigators USA, has doubled its numbers in one year, Mother Jones reports:

In March, 2012, the Navigators had 19 chapters, but today, there are about 45 chapters across 21 states, according to Tony Porterfield, a chapter leader in Los Altos. Bossert adds that they are growing at a rate of about 2 chapters per month, with each chapter having an average of 8-12 children, so he estimates that there are up to 600 boys and girls enrolled in the program. For the most part, Navigators participate in the same kinds of activities that Boy Scouts do: Camping, organic farming, hiking, tie dying, excursions to museums, and community service. Freed says the only event his son misses from the Boy Scouts is the Pinewood Derby, where scouts build and race model cars (Freed points out that "as a parent doing much of the work on it, I do not miss it.")

But there is one big difference: The Navigators' Moral Compass (left), which expresses the group's philosophy that members shouldn't be discriminated against over gender, religious beliefs, or sexual orientation. Bossert says the organization has openly gay chapter leaders, as well as board leaders and co-members.

As for other inclusive alternatives to the BSA, there is also the Baden-Powell Service Association (BPSA), and Camp Fire.

California Senate Panel Advances Bill That Could Strip the Boy Scouts of Tax Exempt Status Over Gay Ban

Back in February I posted about a bill introduced by openly gay California state senator Ricardo Lara (D-Bell Gardens) that would strip the Boy Scouts' tax exempt status for discriminating against members and leaders on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.

Today that bill passed its first legislative hurdle, the AP reports:

The Senate Governance and Finance Committee voted 5 to 2 to move the first-of-its-kind bill to the Senate Appropriations Committee for review.

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.

Should the bill pass the BSA would be required to pay corporate taxes on donations, memberships, and all other sources of income.

Said Lara in February:

“Our state values the important role that youth groups play in the empowerment of our next generation; this is demonstrated by rewarding organizations with tax exemptions supported financially by all Californians. SB 323 seeks to end the unfortunate discriminatory and outdated practices by certain youth groups by revoking their tax exemption privilege should they not comply with our non-discrimination laws.”

Guess Who Stepped in to Give Food to the Utah Scout-O-Rama After Chipotle Backed Out?

The Salt Lake Tribune reports that Winger’s Roadhouse Grill, Utah Sports Lodge and Madeline’s Steakhouse are stepping up to support the Boy Scouts by providing free food for the Utah Scout-O-Rama after Chipotle backed out because of anger over the group's anti-gay policies.

Winger's is trying to balance its anti-gay giving by donating an equal amount to the Utah Pride Center's Queer Prom on April 20. The Queer Prom is an annual event for LGBT youth and their allies.

The Trib reports:

President Curt Gray said in a Friday afternoon statement that Winger’s acceptance of diversity "is what makes us great." Both the Boy Scouts of America and the Utah Pride Center are helping to support and build leaders for America’s future, Gray said, noting the center’s work to support lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) youth who are "bullied and too often rejected by family and peers."

Valerie Larabee, executive director of the Utah Pride Center, said Winger’s and the center found common ground Friday and "a way to recognize the needs of all youth." "...We know there are gay and transgender scouts who will be proud to know their prom is also being supported by the owners and employees at this company," Larabee said.