NATION'S LARGEST JEWISH ORGANIZATION LAUDS NEW JERSEY COURT DECISION BANNING DISCRIMINATION BY BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA

Saperstein: "The Justices made clear that they find discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation repugnant. So do we, and so should the Boy Scouts."

Contact: Jeff Mandell or Adina Rosenbaum,
(202) 387-2800

WASHINGTON, August 5, 1999 - Rabbi David Saperstein, Director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, lauded yesterday's New Jersey Supreme Court decision that the Boy Scouts of America may not discriminate against scouts on the basis of sexual orientation. "The Court's clear and unanimous action sends a powerful signal that discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation is unacceptable in our society," he said.

The Religious Action Center, in keeping with long-standing policy against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, joined an amicus brief supporting James Dale, a twenty-year old boy who had been a model scout until he had his membership revoked because of his homosexuality and subsequently sued the Boy Scouts of America, in his suit against the Boy Scouts of America.

The full text of Saperstein's statement follows:

• We applaud yesterday's decision by the New Jersey Supreme Court requiring the Boy Scouts of America to stop discriminating against homosexuals who wish to participate in scouting activities. The Court's clear and unanimous action sends a powerful, and welcome, signal that discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation is unacceptable in our society.
   
• The Boy Scouts of America has long had a policy barring gays from becoming scouts or adult volunteers. The Boy Scouts' attempt to defend their discriminatory practices as protected First Amendment conduct is offensive to the cherished freedoms that the First Amendment, in fact, guarantees. The Justices made clear that they find discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation repugnant. So do we, and so should the Boy Scouts. Rank discrimination should have no place in an organization that aspires to inculcate fundamental American values in our nation's boys.
   
• We Jews are all too aware that the denial of basic human dignity can lead to a denial of civil rights and violence based on bigotry. And, we are aware that teaching our youth, by word or by deed, that discrimination is acceptable can only lead to the perpetuation of ignorance, prejudice, and rifts in society. The Jewish tradition teaches us that all human beings are created b'tselem elohim-in the image of God. Discrimination against any person arising from apathy, insensitivity, ignorance, fear, or hatred is inconsistent with this fundamental principle. We commend the New Jersey Supreme Court for its unequivocal ruling, and for its powerful example.

# # #

The Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism is the Washington office of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations and the Central Conference of American Rabbis, representing 1.5 million Reform Jews and 1,800 Reform rabbis in more than 875 congregations throughout North America. +

LEADER OF REFORM JEWS ASKS BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA
TO REVERSE ITS ANTI-GAY ADMISSION POLICY
 

Union of American Hebrew Congregations
SERVING REFORM JUDAISM IN NORTH AMERICA
 

The Union of American Hebrew Congregations has urged the Boy Scouts of America to reverse its policy of barring gays from becoming scouts or adult volunteers.

In a letter to Richard Leet, president of the Boy Scouts of America, Rabbi Alexander M. Schindler, president of the UAHC -- central body of Reform Judaism in North America -- noted that many youngsters in the Reform community are involved in scouting and that a number of member-congregations sponsor Scout troops.

Rabbi Schindler said in his letter: "I am writing to you because of a conflict in policy between our two organizations which creates ramifications for members of our community. I refer to our strongly held and public position in support of human rights, including the rights of lesbians and gay men, and specifically in support of full inclusion of lesbian and gay Jews in all aspects of synagogue life.

"It is my hope the Boy Scouts of America will reconsider its position."

The Reform Jewish leader praised the Scouts' emphasis on traditional family values as "being necessary components of a strong , healthy society" but disagreed that these values exclude gay men and lesbians. He commented: "We, too, are justly concerned about nurturing our young people in a society that emphasizes family values. We disagree that these values exclude gay men and lesbians "We stand firm in our belief that all people have basic rights, regardless of their sexual orientation."

For this reason, he said, "we have admired the focus of Scouting on teaching the moral imperatives of citizenship in the community, in the nation, and in the world. Surely only when we reach out to all citizens do we learn what it means to be in a community -- to be part of a community "We Jews are too aware that the denial of basic human dignity can lead to a denial of civil rights and violence based on bigotry.

We are aware of the prevalence of anti-gay violence in our society and the percentage of this violence which is perpetrated by adolescents.

"We ask the Boy Scouts to play a leadership role in fostering respect for the basic human dignity of all."
 

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