Disney Waves the Rainbow Flag at Boy Scouts
CINDY LUO
Staff Writer
“No freedom till we’re equal,” said not only Macklemore in his song “Same Love,” supporting the LGBT community, but the Walt Disney Company as well when they pulled funding from the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) due to its policy of banning gay leaders.
According to the Washington Times, instead of providing direct funding to BSA, Walt Disney Co. occasionally donated money to local Scout troops through “EARS to You” — a program that recognized Disney’s employees for their volunteerism through financial contributions to the eligible charities of their choice. On Feb. 26, Disney announced that they chose to discontinue this support because their views do not currently “align with the BSA” as they discriminate based on “race, religion, color, sex, national origin, age, marital status, mental or physical ability or sexual orientation” according to Scouts for Equality.
The BSA is one of the nation’s largest and most prominent values-based youth development organizations, according to its website. Founded in 1910, the BSA believes, and through over a century of experience, knows that helping youth is a key to building a more conscientious, responsible and productive society.
Nonetheless, homosexual kids were excluded from the “youth” and were not allowed to join the BSA throughout its century of experience. Although the BSA claimed that it was a “youth development” organization which aimed to teach the scouts “lifelong values” through “educational activities,” it failed to teach them that LGBT rights, which are common, basic human rights, and equal opportunities should be advocated and supported. A person’s sexuality is just another normal characteristic, like gender or race, not a defect. Being gay does not reduce one’s determination, ambition, competitiveness or physical ability at all. Therefore, all homosexual kids or adults deserve the same respect and opportunity that heterosexual people have always received.
After strongly opposing gay members for a dozen years, the BSA finally dropped its ban last year under the pressure of public opinion. According to ABC, “open or avowed” homosexuals will be allowed to become scouts starting from January 2014. However, homosexual adults are still forbidden from any leadership positions, employments or even volunteerism in the Scouting program.
Ironically, according to ABC, a Boy Scouts spokesman said in a statement in reaction to Disney’s declaration that the organization is “disappointed” by Disney’s decision, because they believe “every child deserves the opportunity to be a part of the Scouting experience” and the decreased funding “will impact our ability to serve kids.” If “every child” deserves equal opportunity, are kids granted such opportunities only when they are minors, and lose these rights overnight when they become adults? Absolutely not.
Disney has always been an inspiration for children around the world. Their position on this issue delivers a positive message to youths by encouraging the LGBT body to “live on and be yourself,” as Macklemore said. The BSA’s policy may be legal, but it is not moral for discriminating against homosexual adults and it must be revised. Disney should be praised for being a role model, making the right decision by withholding their support and proudly waving the rainbow flag.