Looks like some UPS employees are gonna be delivering extra packagaes this holiday season, and we're not just talking about presents! Actually, we really are, but still, it's cool that the UPS Foundation, which gave $167,000 to various Boy Scouts of America entities in 2010, has said enough is enough! Yellow and brown is not down! With discrimination!
According to GLAAD, UPS released the following statement:
The UPS Foundation seeks to support organizations that are in alignment with our focus areas, guidelines, and non-discrimination policy. UPS and The UPS Foundation do not discriminate against any person or organization with regard to categories protected by applicable law, as well as other categories protected by UPS and The UPS Foundation in our own policies. These include, but are not limited to race, gender, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran or military status, pregnancy, age and religion.
GLAAD has called for the Boy Scouts of America to end their ban on gay scouts and scout leaders since April 2012. Apparently Jennifer Tyrrell, a mom and den leader from Ohio, was removed from her 7-year-old's Cub Scout Pack for being gay. Bulllllllllshit.
Zach Wahls and Scouts for Equality had this to say:
"UPS showed true bravery today in standing with the 80,000 Americans, including thousands of Scouts and Scout leaders, who oppose the Boy Scouts' hurtful anti-gay policy. That bravery is what Scouting is all about. Corporate America gets it better than most: policies that discriminate aren't simply wrong, they're bad for business and they're hurting the Scouting community. You would think that after all the Boy Scouts have lost as a result of this policy, they would understand that."
Truth. Although I never made it past Brownie (mmm... brownies), I know that being a Scout was a big deal to lots of kids back in the day. Is it still a thing? I only know two kids and they're both delinquents, but maybe the friends and families of more wholesome youngsters can let me know if the BSA and GSA are still even relevant? And if so, are the patches updated? Instead of, like, battling a bear, is it badges for hacking into Facebook and making it look like Myspace? or what?
And finally, if the Scouts can't comply, the Wilderness Girls might have to take over, right? Cigars, cigarettes, cookies!
Update: From BioLady: "I'd like to point out that the Girl Scouts (and by extension, the brownies) are an entirely separate from the BSA and are also entirely awesome. Seriously: gay-friendly, trans-friendly, non-Christian religions-friendly, pro-sex education, etc."
BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA NO LONGER ELIGIBLE FOR GRANT FUNDING FROM THE UPS FOUNDATION [GLAAD]