A California state Senator on Tuesday introduced legislation that would remove the state’s tax exempt status for any youth group — including the Boy Scouts of America — that bans members on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.
Ricardo Lara
The measure, SB323, was introduced by state Sen. Ricardo Lara (D-Bell Gardens) from Los Angeles County, comes as the Boy Scouts considers a change to its existing policy that bans gay scouts, and prohibits gay and lesbian scout leaders, reported the San Francisco Chronicle.
Under what backers are calling the “Youth Equality Act,” tax-exempt organizations — including student groups or sports and activity groups organized through public or private schools — would be barred from discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.
If passed, it would be the first such law in the country to revoke the tax-exempt status of youth organizations.
Supporters of the bill say they hope the measure would affect the Boy Scouts in particular, and hope it will add pressure to the national scouting organization, based in Irving, Texas, as leaders there consider whether or not to rescind the anti-gay policy.
Lara said he had considered proposing the bill earlier but wanted to wait until the Scouts’ February meeting to see whether its leadership would change its policy on its own.
“It looks like they’re going to kick the can down the road, so I thought that here in California the very least that we can do is that those who decide to continue to discriminate will not continue to have the tax exemption,” he said.
Supporters said they were not currently aware of any other youth group that would be affected by the law. Girl Scouts of the USA has had a non-discrimination policy for more than three decades.
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Yes, Good!
Awesome!
Next, removing the tax exempt status for churches.
Go for it!! Seeing the Girl Scout don’t discriminate, that’s a kick in the head to the Boy Scouts!!
Let the outrage from religious youth groups begin…
hope it passes, should do the same for churches also
It’s about time !! Yes churches should not have tax exempt status !!
Good!
Sounds like a novel idea
Especially the LDS and Catholic churches!!
suck this homophobes! :-)
Awesome!
BRAVO!!!
Good.
finally
Great idea!
Yes, Yes, Yes. It should not be limited to youth groups. Any organization that gets public money must be open to all, no exception.
Bravo !!! Freakin MO ldser’s deserve it!
Do it.
YES!
Same should be done with the churches, especially the Catholic Church
I think this law should apply to any organization, churches included, that openly discriminates against any one for any reason. Maybe this will prove to be an important step in the battle to end discrimination.
But they can still discriminate based on sex?
It will cost them, so let them hate at their own cost.
Can’t wait to see how they treat Mosques!
as it should have for the past 20 years
Forgive my ignorance but exactly why did the Boy Scout get tax exemption?
Ha!
Good
Well done Sen. Lara!
… ‘Bout-TIME!!!
Well done!
They shouldn’t have to create new laws for this process! The Feds sure as heck better do the same thing for other organizations that aren’t really what they claim to be.
Good
alright
Excellent!! What about the church’s who lobbied against civil rights with MILLIONS of donated dollars?
good, should do that to any group that is restrictive. EVen the girl scouts allow boys to join.
GREAT!!!