California is now “one step closer” to granting full equality to LGBT youth across the state.
On Wednesday, the California State Senate Governance and Finance Committee voted to approve The Youth Equality Act which, according to Raw Story, “would revoke the sales and corporate tax exemption for any youth group that discriminated against members on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.” The bill now moves on to the Senate Committee on Appropriations.
State Senator Ricardo Lara (D-Long Beach), who introduced the bill, released a statement saying,
Today’s vote puts California one step closer in bringing full equality to LGBT youth throughout the state. With its passage and growing list of supporters and co-authors, we will end this outdated practice of discrimination and exclusion.
The Boy Scouts of America met in January to discuss dropping their discriminatory practices against gay scouts and scoutmasters, but at the last minute chose to push back the vote until May. In 2000, the US Supreme Court ruled that it was withing the groups first amendment rights, which guarantees the freedom of association, to ban gay members.
Does it bother anyone else that California is threatening to use its taxing powers to punish unpopular opinions?
Yes. This is double edged sword that can cut both ways. It is bad precedent.
It’s not a double-edge sword, it’s clear. Does violation of individual liberties ring a bell? If it is a public or state funded organization they would need to comply. However, the BSA should file a suit with the CA and US ACLU if it’s completely private under tax laws and DBA rules. It’s simply more government extortion.
Ok, how do they determine the sexual orientation of a child under the age of 16? Does someone in the state go around asking a child’s sexual orientation and anyone who applies for that job needs to be closely watched and perhaps placed on the sexual offenders list. This is sick. and sad. The boy scouts should be permitted to determine who their membership is. If California does revoke the Boy Scouts tax exempt status I will reach down extra deep into my pocket and try to support them perhaps to the exclusion of some other worthy charity. I find… Read more »