epiod Administrator
| Subject: California bars judges from joining Boy Scouts Sat Jan 24, 2015 4:07 pm | |
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- SAN FRANCISCO — [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]’s Supreme Court voted Friday to prohibit state judges from belonging to the [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] on grounds that the group discriminates against gays. The court said its seven justices unanimously voted to heed a recommendation by its ethics advisory committee barring judges’ affiliation with the organization.
In 1996 the state Supreme Court banned judges from belonging to groups that discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation, but made an exception for nonprofit youth organizations. The Supreme Court’s Advisory Committee on the Code of Judicial Ethics in February recommended eliminating the exception to enhance public confidence in the judiciary. The group allows the participation of openly gay boys but continues to prohibit gay and lesbian adults from serving as leaders. The Boys Scouts of America couldn’t immediately be reached for comment. The proposed rule change was sent out for public comment last year, and the change was supported by the California Judges Association, the court said. “The only remaining exception to the general rule is membership in a religious organization,” said Fourth District Court of Appeal Justice Richard D. Fybel, chair of the Supreme Court’s Advisory Committee on the Code of Judicial Ethics.
“One other exception_belonging to a [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]organization_was eliminated as well, because the U.S. armed forces no longer restrict military service based on sexual orientation,” Fybel added. Of 47 states that ban judges from joining discriminatory groups, 22 states, including California, include a bar on groups that show bias on the basis of sexual orientation. California was the only one of those states that made exceptions for youth groups. Judges will have until January 21, 2016 to comply with the new rule. [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]What are your thoughts on this?Should judges be prohibited from joining the scouts? |
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Wendynas VIP
| Subject: Re: California bars judges from joining Boy Scouts Sat Jan 24, 2015 8:51 pm | |
| I think the should be prohibited. They are judges. They should not partake in any organization that discriminates. Gay men or women being troop leaders is no different than straight men and women. I really believe that anyone, who can pass a drug test and isn't a felon should be allowed. By supporting this organization you are basically saying you agree with what they stand for. |
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