Action Alert:
Boy Scouts and the United Way of Thurston County
(from July/August 2001 Heartbeat)
It is important for us to call and write the United Way. Their staff & board need to hear that they must change their position on requiring all recipients to sign non-discrimination statements in order to receive funding. Their phone is 943-2773, address is: United Way, 505 4th Avenue West, Olympia, 98501. Also, please write to the Olympian and thank them for their wonderful editorial about this issue.
Below are sample letters sent by Alec and Gabi.
Gabi Clayton’s letter to the United Way:
Yesterday I wrote this letter to the Olympian:
I want to thank the Olympian for taking such a strong stand for our community and against bias and ignorance in this Sunday's editorial, "United Way made wrong decision." I am one of the people who have been meeting with the United Way and asking them to add a non-discrimination policy for the organizations they fund, for the reasons you stated so well. In my last meeting with them after the board voted, I too pointed out that if they choose the middle-of-the-road position, then they appear to be choosing bigotry. I don't want to believe that people who have worked so hard for the good of our community would do that, but that is what it looks like now.
My son Bill committed suicide after he was assaulted in a hate crime based on his sexual orientation. I know what a hot topic this is, and I know all too well the courage it takes to stand against the prejudice and violence that has been heaped upon gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people.
Shame on the Boy Scouts - yes, the supreme court said their discrimination is legal, but that does not make it right. Shame too on the United Way of Thurston County if they do not stand against this bigotry.
I want to thank Jane Boubel, Anita Drummond and Teri Yount, who resigned from United Way in protest on this issue. It must have been a painful decision, and I admire their integrity, courage, and commitment to fairness.
It saddens me that it has come to this. It saddens me that I am publicly saying such things about a policy of United Way -- an organization that is so vital and needed in our community. It saddens me that because of the way you have handled this so far you have lost some of the fine people who I believe you need the most at this time.
I hope it is not too late for your board to turn this decision around, and that you will decide that it is important for United Way to be a part of the community that values all of our people without bias. I do understand that you may take a lot of heat from people who think gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people should be shut out and not welcomed here. I understand that adding the inclusive non-discrimination clause we have asked for will cost something. I know that some people will protest with their pocketbooks. I believe that will be true whichever choice you make now.
I just cannot believe that you will not consider and do not understand the cost in the lives of the people -- real people like my son Bill who died believing he lived in a world filled with hate -- who are affected by your policy.
Alec Clayton’s letter to the Olympian:
First, I want to thank the Olympian for courageously expressing simple common sense and decency in the editorial opposing the decision by United Way of Thurston County to continue funding the Boy Scouts despite their discrimination against sexual minorities.
Your hard-hitting editorial minced no words in coming down solidly in favor of doing the right thing.
On the same page there was an opinion piece by Allen Miller, president of the United Way of Thurston County, titled, "Decision is not a referendum on Scouting program or gay lifestyle."
That article was a transparent cop-out and a poor justification for a policy Mr. Miller must know is wrong.
Furthermore, both Mr. Miller and the Olympian headline writers should know that the term "gay lifestyle" has prejudicial overtones that imply (1) sexual orientation is a choice, and (2) it is as frivolous as choosing one's wardrobe. The use of such stereotypical phrasing by well-meaning writers perpetuates harmful myths.
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