UPS Pulls Funding From Boy Scouts of America Over Anti-Gay Policies

Scouts Express Disappointment, But Little Interest In Change

Talk about Scout's dis-honor. Shipping company UPS, which has a philanthropic arm that provides grants to various charitable and social organizations, has just announced that it will no longer allocate money to the Boy Scouts of America. The reason: the Scouts still don't support gay rights.

In recent months, multiple reports of the firing or banning of homosexual Scout leaders and members have left a black cloud over the organization. Nevertheless, change has been slow to come.

Read: Teenager Denied Eagle Scout Award Because He's Gay

Now, however, UPS is hoping to give them a wake-up call by hitting them where it hurts...the wallet. In 2011, UPS donated more than $85,000 to the Boy Scouts of America. In 2013, it will be giving none.

"We promote an environment of diversity and inclusion," UPS Spokesperson Petrella stated. "UPS is a company that does the right things for the right reasons."

Deron Smith, a spokesperson for the Scouts, said he was disappointed in the move. "These types of contributions go directly to serving young people in local councils and this decision will negatively impact youth," Smith said. "Through 110,000 units, scouting represents millions of youth and adult members in diverse communities across the nation, each with a variety of beliefs on this topic."

However, Smith made no mention of his organization changing its policies - and attitudes - towards gay people in the future.

Scott Wahls, founder of the group Scouts for Equality, doesn't understand the hold up. "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," Wahls said. "You would think that after all the Boy Scouts have lost as a result of this policy, they would understand that."

Do you think the Scouts need a change of policy ASAP regarding gay members and leaders?