Congress members to Boy Scouts End Discrimination

Twenty-six members of Congress sent a letter to the Boy Scouts of America on Monday urging the organization to end its policy of antigay discrimination.

The letter, spearheaded by Democratic U.S. representatives Gary Ackerman of New York and Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin, was sent to Robert Mazzuca, the chief executive officer of the Boy Scouts.

According to a news release from the offices of Ackerman and Baldwin, the letter was prompted when the Boy Scouts rejected Cate and Elizabeth Wirth, a lesbian couple in Vermont, as volunteers for their 10-year-old son's Cub Scout pack. The district director suggested that the Wirths would "push their lifestyle on the boys."

"Regrettably, the current, discriminatory policy of the Boy Scouts of America has denied opportunities for young scouts, community-oriented citizens, and loving parents," says the letter. "As you celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America, it is long past time that the Boy Scouts finally provide the opportunity for all Scouts, Leaders, and volunteers, to share in the joys of Scouting, regardless of sexual orientation."

Other signatories include Rep. Barney Frank of Massachusetts and Rep. Jared Polis of Colorado, who with Baldwin constitute the three out members of Congress.

Read the letter and see the full list of signatories at OurLivesMadison.com.