By: Don P Wright
Thirty-eight Scouts from Sakai, Japan were visiting the San Francisco Bay area, and were to
meet with Shirley Dean, the Mayor of Berkeley, to present her with a letter from their mayor.
Sakai is Berkeley's Sister City in Japan.
Mayor Shirley Dean called off the event after councilman Kriss Worthinton, an openly gay
man, objected to the city hosting an event with an organization he says discriminates against gays.
He suggested she discuss the Boy Scouts of America's policy on gays with the visitors. How
foolish - this shows his mentality. These Scouts were as young as 10 years old.
Letters and e-mail to the San Francisco Chronicle, as well as callers to talk radio shows,
called Worthington and "idiot" and worse. Needless to say, my words are unprintable.
After consulting with the city manager and the sponsors who organized the group's stay,
Mayor Dean decided to reschedule the meeting and move it to a new location. She said she
wanted to avoid exposing the visitors to a protest. The Japanese Scouts as well as the Girl Scouts
of America have no policy against gays. As for the Boy Scouts of America, their policies on gays
are legal and have no bearing on Scouting from Japan. [Her only interest was in being politically
correct.]
Worghinton, who recently declared his candidacy for the state Assembly, said, "We are not
saying teach them about sex. We are saying teach them about discrimination. There is no age too
young to learn that we should not discriminate." Mayor Dean also said she will meet with the
scouts Friday in a private home in El Cerrito and if the subject comes up they will address it.
Worthington still wants Japanese scouts to get a flyer requesting that they contact the Boy
Scouts and ask them to allow gays.
Berkeley City policy prohibits subsidies for any group that discriminates because of sexual
orientation, race, gender or any other factors. If this is the case, then why was the Japanese
Scouts discriminated against? "There is absolutely nothing wrong with Japanese boy and girl
scouts holding a meeting in city hall.
We just wanted to make sure these kids have a positive experience." the Mayor said. They
received a positive experience alright. One that teaches them that Americans (in Berkeley) still
discriminate against foreigners.
How do you teach them about discrimination when Worthington's actions were
discriminating against them. - Just how two faced can you get. As far as I am concerned there is
no discrimination toward gays. As long as they not push their ways on others or demand special
consideration because they are gay, there is no problem. I am not saying they have to hide it, just
don't make demands and force their life style on others.
Masaya Sagawa, a spokesman for the Japanese Consulate in San Francisco, called the
incident "unfortuanate". "I understand this is really a sensitive issue for American Boy Scouts."
By the way, there is no ban or discrimination for the Boy Scouts themselves. The ban is on
gay "adult" leaders in the Boy Scouts. It should also be noted that the U.S. Supreme Court
upheld the Boy Scout's policy on gay "leadership" in Scouting.
Personally, if I was the Mayor of Sakai, Japan, I would withdraw any agreement to be
considered a sister city with Berkeley. This whole episode is disgusting.
The gays want to be accepted by the majority of America, but it is policies and episodes like
this that is dividing the country more and more, and creating discrimination.
1. Ban of Scouts angers residents. 2. Berkeley Snubs Scoutrs Berkeley furor at snub of Scouts Emotional outcry over Japanese group 3. Berkeley City Officials
Anger and criticism for Berkeley city officials for leaving 4. Berkeley Gay councilman Japanese Scouts left in lurch by Berkeley Gay councilman has meeting canceled (second article) COURT DECISIONS 5. Supreme Court Decision Sides with Scouts. 6. California Supreme Court to decide if Judges can be Boy Scouts. Many years ago, I lived high on a hilll overlooking Sakai, Japan and found it to be a beautiful and friendly city, and I still have friends there. This whole episode dealing with the Japanese Scouts is very embarrassing for me. In no way should these youngsters have been treated in this manner. It is an insult to the Japanese youngsters, to the city of Sakai, to the Boy Scouts of America, and to me as an American!
I have been a Committeeman for a Cub Scout Pack, a Committeeman for a Boy Scout Troop, an Assistant Scout Master, a Scout Master, and an Advisor for an Explorer Post. During these years we have had Scouts who were gay and have never had a problem of any type. They were no different than any other Scout and were treated no different. After 30 years, I am still in contact with a number of them. However, I do agree with the Boy Scouts of America's ban on "gay Adult Leaders" in the Scouting program, and for obvious reasons, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the ban. Having created problems for the Boy Scouts, the City of Berkeley has now turn to the Sea Scouts. 7. Sea Scouts lose free birthing at Berkeley Marina. Losing the free berthing for the ships that the Sea Scouts use, is one thing, but to lose the free berthing for this reason shows the complete disrespect for the Scouting program by the City of Berkeley. Shame on the City of Berkeley. I have added the City of Berkeley to my list of cities that I will not visit or do business with, which includes San Francisco and Davis. Also, because of their attitudes toward the Boy Scouts Of America and the Girl Scouts of
America, I no longer make donations to the "United Way". My
donations now go directly to the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts.
Please place in the Subject Line: SCOUTING 
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