Aloha Council BSA, the governing body for Boy Scouts in Hawaii, Guam and American Samoa, posted a statement on its website saying it "supported the national resolution because we believe Scouting should be available to all young people."
The statement by Billy Rayl, the Aloha Council’s director of field service, also says, "The conversations that have been taking place within the BSA nationally mirror the dialogue that is occurring across the country, including here in Hawaii. They reflect the changing world that we live in and expectations of our community that Scouting continues to be a place for all young people to develop life skills, leadership and citizenship."
Donald Bentz, executive director of Equality Hawaii, said of the Boy Scouts’ decision, "This is a real milestone." Equality Hawaii is a nonprofit that works for equality for Hawaii’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities.
Bentz said he hasn’t heard of any gay discrimination incidents with the Hawaii BSA, saying that the local branch seems to practice a "don’t ask, don’t tell" policy regarding Scouts’ sexual orientation.
Bentz hopes the BSA will enlist the help of Equality Hawaii "roll out their new policy. We’d love to work with them and open dialogue."
Michael Golojuch, chairman of the Democratic Party of Hawaii’s GLBT caucus and of the Honolulu Pride Parade, said he found the Scouts’ action lacking because there is still a ban on adult Scout leaders who are openly gay.
"It’s divisive, it’s discrimination, it’s cold-hearted," Golojuch said.
Golojuch said the initiative sends a conflicting message to gay Scouts once they become adults and lose the opportunity to work within the Boy Scouts community.
