San Francisco Bar Association Prohibits Judges from Participating in Boy Scouts

San Francisco Chronicle ^ | July 26, 2002 | Bob Egelko

[Selmo]

San Francisco's judges have become the first in the state to cut ties with the Boy Scouts because of the organization's refusal to admit gays and lesbians. A lawyer who sought the change said Thursday she hoped to take it statewide.

[yendu bwam]

This is a sham decision intended to slap the face of the BSA because they refuse to let little kids be fondled in the woods by a queer scoutmaster. It's also an implicit insult to the intelligence of the reader.

Exactly.

[Joe Boucher]

please al-queda, nuke san francisco for the good of the planet.

[AdA$tra]

Git a rope!

When I was in Jr. High, bullies called me a fag when I wore my scout uniform. Now as an adult leader I am a racist, biggoted, homophobe when I put on my uniform.

[Jhoffa_]

For a bunch of people who would never, ever dream of pedophelia, they sure make allot of noise about not being allowed to take young boys on camping trips don't they?

[harpseal]

Since a number of religions deem practicing homosexuals sinners and therefor without repentance and a resolve to sin no more unfit for heaven and good standing in the religous group this is a religous test for public office. As such it is specifically banned in the US Constitution.

Stay well - Stay safe - Stay armed - Yorktown

[stlrocket]

Everyday, the people in the SFO area come up with another ruling, edict, OR statement more irrational and moronic than the previous. It is just scary.

It almost is beginning to remind me of that old movie - 'Escape from New York.' The whole area was ruled by the homeless, perverts, crooked politicians, (aka Willie Brown) and criminals - just like what San Francisco has become. What a shame.

MISS SAN FRANCISCO

[Ohioan]

Absurdity, grown out of madness compounding madness.

See The Boy Scouts Of America & A Leftwing Agenda.

Needless to say, the San Francisco Bar does not set the standard for all lawyers!

William Flax

[Hillarys Gate Cult]

Isn't this discrimination against heterosexuals?

[Swanks]

Isn't this discrimination against heterosexuals?

Doesn't count - we hate them.

[aristeides]

Is there a way to make sure Michael Savage knows about this story?

[Jason_b]

From the article: "This is a fundamental part of being a judicial officer . . . avoiding even the appearance of partiality at all times so that every litigant who appears in front of you is treated fairly and equally,"

Yeah...heh....sure.

[goodieD]

he lives there, i'm sure he knows... i'm always afraid he's gonna die of a heart attack from one of these stories.

[LiteKeeper]

And Rush!

[Willie Green]

San Francisco's judges have become the first in the state to cut ties with the Boy Scouts because of the organization's refusal to admit gays and lesbians.

No big deal.
San Francisco's judges were likely ineligible under Boy Scout guidelines anyway.

[Jagdgewehr]

No big deal.
San Francisco's judges were likely ineligible under Boy Scout guidelines anyway.

hehehe. How true.

[yendu bwam]

For a bunch of people who would never, ever dream of pedophelia, they sure make allot of noise about not being allowed to take young boys on camping trips don't they?

Why the hell do they want to be around my sons? My son's scout troop is run by dads (real ones).

[yendu bwam]

San Francisco's judges were likely ineligible under Boy Scout guidelines anyway.

Homosexuals, atheists, girls, or a combination thereof?

[Argus]

San Francisco Superior Court judges and commissioners adopted a policy July 11 saying they would not take part in any organization that "discriminates on the basis of sexual orientation by excluding members on the grounds that their sexual orientation renders them 'unclean,' 'immoral' or 'unfit.' "

This would rule out judges being orthodox Jews, Muslims, Hindus or various Christian denominations, all of whom have ritual objections to certain sexual orientations, practices and conditions. San Francisco has indeed made a clean sweep here - only libertine atheists need apply to the judiciary.

[frodolives]

Since the Boy Scouts do NOT claim that one's sexual orientation makes one "unclean" and "unfit", it seems that the Judges can continue in Scouting to the extent they wish.

[Looking for Diogenes]

Since a number of religions deem practicing homosexuals sinners and therefor without repentance and a resolve to sin no more unfit for heaven and good standing in the religous group this is a religous test for public office. As such it is specifically banned in the US Constitution.

The California Supreme Court Code of Judicial Ethics, which all of this is based on, indicates that it does not include religious groups among the applicable organizations.

C. Membership in Organizations

A judge shall not hold membership in any organization that practices invidious discrimination on the basis of race, sex, religion, national origin, or sexual orientation.

This Canon does not apply to membership in a religious organization or an official military organization of the United States. So long as membership does not violate Canon 4A, this Canon does not bar membership in a nonprofit youth organization.*

* "Nonprofit youth organization" is any nonprofit corporation or association, not organized for the private gain of any person, whose purposes are irrevocably dedicated to benefiting and serving the interests of minors and which maintains its nonprofit status in accordance with applicable state and federal tax laws.
Court Rules