One Hurdle Jumped

Sacramento, CA – The Associated Press says legislation aimed at pressuring the Boy Scouts of America to lift its ban on gay members has cleared its first hurdle in the California Legislature. The Senate Governance and Finance Committee today approved the measure to deny tax-exempt status to nonprofit youth groups that discriminate based on gender identity, race, sexual orientation, nationality, religion or religious affiliation.

Long Beach Democrat Ricardo Lara introduced SB323, which would take away some tax exemptions from groups that prohibit members from joining based on the above criteria. The AP reports that opponents have argued that the bill could be far-reaching, and also impact groups like 4-H, Girl Scouts and Pop Warner football leagues.