FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 15, 2000

Connecticut Human Rights Commission Rules Against the Boy Scouts

In a unanimous decision, the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities (“CHRO”) ruled that because of the Boy Scouts of America’s (“BSA”) anti-gay policy, inclusion of the organization in the State Employee Campaign (“SEC”) for charitable giving violates state law. In a ruling issued on May 11, the CHRO responded to a request for clarification of state law submitted by the State Employee Campaign Committee. Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (“GLAD”) intervened in the matter along with other Connecticut civil rights organizations including the Connecticut Coalition for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Civil Rights, the Connecticut Civil Liberties Union, and the Connecticut Women’s Education and Legal Fund.

“This is an important decision that sends a strong message to the Boy Scouts of America that as long as they retain their anti-gay policy, they will be excluded from having access to any state facilities, including directed donations from state employees,” remarked Jennifer Levi, GLAD staff attorney, who along with attorneys Maureen M. Murphy and Philip Tegeler represented the civil rights intervenors.

In issuing its ruling, the CHRO declined to answer a second question posed to it by the SEC Campaign whether the Boy Scouts of America’s policy on sexual orientation violates any state anti-discrimination laws enforced by the CHRO. The CHRO elected not to rule on that question, seemingly because the United States Supreme Court is expected to issue a decision sometime this summer in the case of James Dale v. BSA that presents a nearly identical question under New Jersey law. The CHRO will, however, issue a decision on whether the BSA’s anti-gay policy violates state law within 6 months.

The CHRO made clear in its May 11 ruling, however, that its decision regarding the use of state facilities for fundraising will stand regardless of the outcome in the Dale case.