New knots for the Scouts.

Steven Spielberg, United Way chapters, and corporate sponsors speak out on the Boy Scouts' policy against gay members and troop leaders

The Supreme Court may have the final word in legal matters, but when it comes to the Boy Scouts of America's policy against openly gay scouts and troop leaders, the court of public opinion may be the final arbiter. Now, in the latest round in what has become a national debate, Hollywood director and Scouts advisory board member Steven Spielberg has weighed in on the discriminatory policy with an exclusive statement to The Advocate.

"I have consistently spoken out publicly and privately against intolerance and discrimination based on ethnic, religious, racial, and sexual orientation," Spielberg said in his September I statement, explaining that he would continue to serve on the Scouts' board and provide financial support to a scouting facility in Southern California. "While I support the principles of scouting, it does not imply that I support every current policy. Although I have no direct active role in the Boy Scouts, I encourage--for the good of scouting--efforts to end this intolerance and discrimination once and for all."

There have been many such efforts since June 28, when the Supreme Court ruled that the Scouts had the right to determine its membership criteria. Dozens of local United Way chapters, including those in Seattle and Providence, R.I., have withdrawn funding from Scout troops that abide by the national policy. Companies ranging from Textron to Knight Ridder have cut their scouting ties. Several school districts, including those in Framingham, Mass., and Palm Beach, Fla., are considering whether to let the Scouts continue recruitment at schools. Even the White House launched an investigation to determine whether bureaucratic aid to the Scouts violates President Clinton's executive order banning antigay discrimination in the federal government; Attorney General Janet Reno determined on September 1 that it does not.

Yet the Scouts' appeal to the heartstrings remains strong. After reviewing Scouts policy, for instance, Chase Manhattan decided to continue funding the group--days after it was widely reported that the bank had severed its ties. "At the end of the day, we do not want to withdraw funding from those programs because doing so would be harmful to thousands of children who benefit significantly from them. We intend to continue working with the Scouts on this evolving issue," stated an August 31 Chase Manhattan press release.