The Cost of Discrimination

PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- The local Boy Scouts chapter on Monday moved a step closer to being evicted from its city-owned home after ignoring a deadline to either reverse the organization’s policy on gay scouts or agree to pay $200,000 in rent.

The Cradle of Liberty Council currently pays $1 a year rent for its city-owned headquarters. But last year, the city said it could not continue to legally rent the property for such a nominal sum to a private group that discriminates. [...]

Jeff Jubelirer, a spokesman for the council, said it cannot go against the national group’s policy and cannot afford $200,000 in rent. (source)

Years ago, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled that the Boy Scouts of America, being a private organization and all, can discriminate against gay men. Today, they do not allow gay scout masters, or gay scouts for that matter. If you are discovered to be gay, you are out. Yeah, kind of like the military (except now, because since we are at war, gays are needed in the military, but that’s another subject).

I was disappointed in the Supreme Court ruling because it was my hope that the Boy Scouts would eventually come around and see people on their merits, and not judge them by one label. That hasn’t happened. So now, the Boy Scouts of America feel that it’s wrong that instead of paying $1.00 a year for rent, the City of Philadelphia is going to make them pay what others would pay for the space, $200,000 a year. This because Philadelphia has an ordinance against discrimination.

The Boy Scouts of America have a choice to pay or not pay, just like they still have a choice if they will discriminate or not. There is a growing cost to discrimination, and in Philadelphia at least, it looks like it is catching up to them.

If they wish to continue with such discrimination, I’m sure they would find a warm reception with religious-right-wing-minded people.