Boy Scouts

The Boy Scouts' long-standing refusal to admit gay members is deplorable and offensive. But it's also legal. Just because we - or California legislators - might disagree with the discriminatory path the Boy Scouts has taken doesn't mean the organization should be singled out from other nonprofits to lose its tax-exempt status. A bill that passed a state Senate committee this week would do just that. Under SB 323, , carried by Sen. Ricardo Lara (D-Bell Gardens), the Boy Scouts of America (though unnamed in the bill)

SACRAMENTO - Some California lawmakers seeking to pressure the Boy Scouts of America to abandon its ban on openly gay members are taking a novel approach: They are threatening to strip the organization of its state tax exemption. The proposal, which cleared a legislative hurdle Wednesday, once again puts California at the center of a national debate on gay rights, and it could put the state on a collision course with the IRS if passed. The legislation would revoke the exemption from state taxes for any nonprofit that excludes members by sexual orientation, gender identity or religious affiliation.

A state Senate committee recommended Wednesday that California revoke the tax-exempt status of nonprofit groups including the Boy Scouts of America that do not allow gays and transsexuals to become members. The Senate Governance and Finance Committee voted 5-2 along party lines, with Republicans in opposition, to approve the measure by Sen. Ricardo Lara (D-Bell Gardens), even as one official from the Boy Scouts signaled that a change in policy may be in the works.. "The Boy Scouts provide a critical service for our youth," Lara told the committee.

Should the state of California revoke the Boy Scouts of America's tax-exempt status? A state Senate committee recommended Wednesday that such status be revoked from nonprofit groups -- including the Boy Scouts of America -- that do not allow gays and transsexuals to become members. The Senate Governance and Finance Committee voted 5 to 2 along party lines, with Republicans in opposition, to approve the measure by Sen. Ricardo Lara (D-Bell Gardens). "The Boy Scouts provide a critical service for our youth," Lara told the committee.

For the GLAAD Media Awards on Saturday night, Madonna put together an outfit reminiscent of a Boy Scout: navy shirt with badges, shorts, neckerchief, hat. And fingerless gloves. "I wanted to be a Boy Scout and they wouldn't let me," she said. The event honored newscaster Anderson Cooper. [The Cut] Wal-Mart reportedly is considering phasing out goods sourced in Bangladesh, scene of a fatal factory fire last fall. [WWD] (Subscription required.) Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge attended Cheltenham Gold Cup Day at the Prestbury Park Races on Friday.

The Boy Scouts of America is surveying adult members about their attitude toward gays in Scouting as the organization's leaders consider lifting a ban on gay membership later this spring. The 13-question survey is being distributed to 1.4 million Scout leaders, alumni, volunteers and parents. It asks them to respond to hypothetical situations involving homosexuality, gays camping with children and gays in church leadership. In some instances, members can respond according to a scale of feelings that ranges from "strongly support" to "strongly oppose.

Is it acceptable or unacceptable for an openly gay Boy Scout to share a tent with a heterosexual boy on an overnight camping trip? Is it acceptable or unacceptable for a lesbian to serve as a den leader for her son's Cub Scout den? Those are among the questions in a survey being distributed to 1.1 million Scout leaders, alumni, volunteers and parents as the Boy Scouts of America considers whether to lift its ban on gay membership. Two of the 13 questions concerning gays and Scouting are open-ended.

The Boy Scouts of America is surveying adult members about their attitude toward gays in Scouting as the group's leaders consider potentially lifting their ban on gay membership later this spring. The 13-question survey is being distributed to 1.1 million Scouts leaders, alumni, volunteers and parents. It asks them to respond to hypothetical situations involving homosexuality, gays camping with children and gays in church leadership.  Members can respond according to a scale of feelings that ranges from strong support to strong opposition.

If you have the money and the desire, certain parts of the Hollywood Bowl can be renamed after you and your loved ones, under a new plan from the Los Angeles Philharmonic. The orchestra received approval from the L.A. County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday to pursue a plan that would allow the selling of naming rights for certain sections of the historic outdoor music venue. Money from sales would go toward improvements to Bowl infrastructure. The orchestra shell and the Bowl itself will not be renamed.

Carly Rae Jepsen has a message for the Boy Scouts: Don't call me. Four days after an Eagle Scout filed a petition on change.org , Jepsen has called off her scheduled appearance at this summer's National Scout Jamboree, which is to be held July 15-24 in West Virginia. Derek Nance's petition asked the "Call Me Maybe" singer to "denounce the Boy Scouts' policy banning gay youth and parents. " Last month, the organization put off a decision on whether to lift that restriction, saying it needed more time to examine the "complexity of this issue.