Gay’s Suit Against Boy Scouts

Timothy Curran’s suit against the Boy Scouts for denying him the opportunity to serve as a Scout leader is a prime example of the pernicious discriminantion lesbians and gays suffer daily. The leadership of Mount Diablo’s Boy Scouts has proved itself to be bigoted against Curran, by basing its assessment of his suitability to lead on a vicious stereotype rather than on his spotless record of achievement.

The big lie here is that gay men seduce young boys. It is a stereotype well-known to legitimate sex researchers to be completely baseless. People who seduce children are pederasts, a distinct psychological designation for those individuals who are attracted to children. It has nothing to do with being gay or lesbian or heterosexual. Those who insist on perpetuating this lie are themselves unfit role models for the young.

MICHAEL SHERE

Chairperson, Response Committee

Gay & Lesbian Alliance

Against Defamation, Los Angeles