 |
James Dale VS Boy Scouts of America - Timeline
1989 - James Dale, who achieved the rank of Eagle Scout, applies
for and is approved for adult membership in the Boy Scouts of America. He
serves as an assistant scoutmaster. 1990 - Dale, while attending Rutgers University, discloses in a speech that he is gay. Dale served as co-president of the university's Lesbian/Gay Alliance. 1990 - In July, Dale's membership in the Boy Scouts is terminated. After questioning his termination, he receives a letter in August which reads: "The grounds for this membership revocation are the standards for leadership established by the Boy Scouts of America, which specifically forbid membership to homosexuals." 1992 - In July, Dale sues in state court, contending that the Boy Scouts violated a state public accommodations law that prevents discrimination against sexual orientation. 1995 - In November, a Superior Court judge dismisses Dale's legal claims. The judge rules that the Boy Scouts of America is not a place of public accommodation and not covered under the state anti-discrimination law. 1998 - In March, the New Jersey Superior Court, Appellate Division, reverses the trial court in a 2-1 decision. The majority writes: "Nothing before us even suggests that a male, simply because he is gay, will somehow undermine BSA's fundamental beliefs and teachings." 1999 - In August, the Supreme Court of New Jersey agrees with the lower appeals court, finding that there is no First Amendment problem with enforcing the state anti-discrimination law. 2000 - On January 14, the U.S. Supreme Court agrees to review the case. 2000 - On April 26, the high court hears oral arguments. 2000 - On June 28, the U.S. Supreme Court decides the case, ruling in favor of the Boy Scouts. Source: http://www.freedomforum.org/ (Reprinted with permission, 2003. However, we cannot find this article on their web site at this time.) Back to News/Events section. |
|
"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." –Martin Luther King, Jr. "Institutionalized homophobia in the Scouts or in church or school is the cruelest of all. It makes life miserable for young gay people and it misleads their peers with regard to the truth about gay people—that we are remarkably similar to the rest." –Ian McKellen, Actor (Gandalf in Lord of the Rings and Magneto in X-Men), quoted with permission. Main site: http://www.mckellen.com Quote: http://www.mckellen.com/epost/m030924.htm |
Home: http://www.sdscoutingforall.org
Copyright © 2000-2005