Mormon Scouting and Homosexuality: Boy Scouts of America v. Dale The Boy Scouts of America revoked the adult membership of James Dale shortly after he identified himself in a newspaper interview as a gay activist. The New Jersey Supreme Court ruled that BSA’s action violated New Jersey law. The question of whether BSA could exclude homosexuals from adult membership was resolved by the U.S. Supreme Court in BSA’s favor. However, the Court’s 5-4 decision raised more questions for Scouters than it answered. For example, can (or should) a celibate homosexual Mormon serve as a BSA volunteer? This session begins with a brief presentation of the Supreme Court decision, followed by a discussion of how it affects Scouting carried out by BSA’s largest sponsor organization, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Brad Hess