Support For Gay Scout (Press, 8 October 1983)
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Summary: Support For Gay Scout (Press, 8 October 1983)
A California court has ruled that the Boy Scouts of America cannot expel a member for being homosexual. The District Court of Appeals announced this decision on 7 October 1983, overturning a previous state Superior Court ruling that had allowed the Boy Scouts to maintain their policy of excluding homosexuals from membership. The court’s decision stemmed from the case of Timothy Curran, an Eagle Scout who was dismissed two years prior after disclosing his sexual orientation. The 38-page ruling stated that the actions of the scout officials violated Curran's rights, indicating that the use of homosexuality as grounds for expulsion was arbitrary and violated the common-law right to fair procedure. The court's judgement particularly highlighted the need for fair treatment within organisations, potentially opening the door for similar cases across other states. In their defense, the Boy Scouts had pointed to their charter, which explicitly excluded both girls and homosexuals from membership, arguing it was within their rights to uphold this policy. However, the court's ruling challenges the legitimacy of such exclusions and may lead to significant changes in how the organisation handles issues related to sexual orientation in the future.
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