News (USA)

Boy Scouts job application: gays need not apply, criminals ‘will be considered’

Boy Scouts job application: gays need not apply, criminals ‘will be considered’

Following recent news that the Boy Scouts of America is considering a change to its membership policy banning gay scouts, the organization is now embroiled in new charges of discrimination, this time regarding its hiring practices.

According to the Human Rights Campaign, the BSA job application for “professional commission” explicitly states that gays need not apply.

The application, which comes from the BSA’s national office and appears to be in use across the country, reads, “The Boy Scouts of America will not employ atheists, agnostics, known or avowed homosexuals.” The full application can be viewed here.

The application language appears to contradict the BSA’s practice of not inquiring about the sexual orientation of an employee.

Last year, when upholding its ban on openly gay scouts and scout leaders, the BSA affirmed that it did “not proactively inquire about the sexual orientation of employees, volunteers, or members.”

“It’s so rare these days to see such blatant discrimination written down on paper,” writes HRC President Chad Griffin in a letter sent to HRC’s supporters.

“The BSA must do more to end the rampant, institutionalized discrimination within their ranks and send a message to today’s youth that there is absolutely nothing wrong with being gay,” said Griffin, in a statement.

Further in the job application, the BSA states that “conviction of a crime is not an automatic bar to employment. A circumstances will be considered.”

The Boy Scouts recently announced it was considering an end to its policy prohibiting gay scouts and gay and lesbian scout leaders. The Board is set to vote in May on the membership policy change.

Don't forget to share:

Support vital LGBTQ+ journalism

Reader contributions help keep LGBTQ Nation free, so that queer people get the news they need, with stories that mainstream media often leaves out. Can you contribute today?

Cancel anytime · Proudly LGBTQ+ owned and operated

‘Miss Broadway Dork’ revealed as swan

Previous article

Mefferd: Gay rights should not ‘trump the rights of Christians’ to not see gays

Next article