Philly Boy Scouts
Let Deadline Pass in Dispute Over Gay Policy

The Philadelphia chapter of the Boy Scouts of America could be forced to leave its city-owned headquarters after ignoring a request to either reverse the group's antigay policies or pay $200,000 in rent, according to the Associated Press.

The Cradle of Liberty Council now pays $1 a year for rent, but the city told the group last year that it could not continue to offer such a small fee to an organization that discriminates. City solicitor Romulo Diaz Jr. gave the chapter until Monday to announce its plans and received no response.

Jeff Jubelirer, a spokesman for the Scouts, said that although the group can't afford $200,000 in rent, it also can't contradict the national organization's policy.

"We do not feel obliged to respond to that date," Jubelirer told the AP, adding that the council is prepared to take the issue to court. "We didn't feel it was urgent to respond."

In a statement delivered Monday afternoon, Diaz said the city will "respect the right of the Cradle of Liberty Council to respond to the city's notice before the city considers appropriate next steps," according to the AP.

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 2000 that, as a private group, the Boy Scouts of America has a First Amendment right to bar gays from membership and leadership positions. (The Advocate)