Boy Scouts Cradle of Liberty Council’s New Policy Opposes Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation

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The Boy Scouts Cradle of Liberty Council, which serves over 15,000 youth throughout Philadelphia, Montgomery and Delaware Counties, announced a new policy today that opposes discrimination based on sexual orientation.

The Board of Directors for Cradle of Liberty unanimously adopted a membership and employment policy “that makes clear that the Scouting organization in the Philadelphia area imposes no membership or employment restrictions based on sexual orientation.”

The new policy reads as follows:

“Discrimination in any form, including but not limited to discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, is contrary to the Scout Oath and Law, and we in the Cradle of Liberty Council will vigorously oppose it from whatever source. The Cradle of Liberty Council is an inclusive organization. We welcome any person of good will seeking to advance our mission of character development, citizenship training and fitness in young people through our programs based on the Scout Oath and Law.”

This is huge news, given the past discriminatory practices of the Boy Scouts of America, and speaks to the larger inclusive mission of the organization. Jim Papada, President of the Cradle of Liberty Council Executive Board, added the following:

“The Boy Scout Handbook has—since its inception—instructed us that a Scout is kind and a friend to all, and adopting this policy allows us officially to make clear to others that we intend to live out that part of the Boy Scout Oath and our mission,” said Papada. “We are excited to make this announcement because we believe it is the right thing to do, and because we want our Council to welcome and engage the best people to lead the youth we serve. We value diversity and look forward to becoming a stronger youth-serving organization and community partner.”