WHEREAS the By-laws of the Unitarian Universalist Association affirm the inherent worth and dignity of every person, and a free and responsible search for truth and meaning; and

WHEREAS the Unitarian Universalist Association Board and numerous General Assemblies have affirmed the rights of gay, bisexual, and lesbian persons to participate fully and equally in the life of their communities; and

WHEREAS the Boy Scouts of America have expressly declared a policy of discrimination against gay scouts and leaders, and have refused to modify that policy even after expression of concern by the Unitarian Universalist Association Youth Office as well as by numerous other individuals and organizations across the United States; and

WHEREAS the National Executive Board of the Boy Scouts of America has recently reaffirmed its policy requiring all boy scouts to affirm a duty to God; and

WHEREAS the Boy Scouts of America have issued written materials which declare the Unitarian Universalist Association to be a chartered organization of the Boy Scouts of America, and have stated that all chartered organizations follow the Boy Scout's ideals, policies, and principles;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Trustees of the Unitarian Universalist Association express to the Executive Board of the Boy Scouts of America its disapproval of the Boy Scout of America’s policy of discrimination against gay and atheist scouts and leaders, and further advise the Boy Scouts of America that the Unitarian Universalist Association has not been and is not now a charter organization of the Boy Scouts of America, and ask that all written materials and Boy Scouts of America’s records should be corrected immediately to remove any reference to the Unitarian Universalist Association as a chartered organization; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Religion and Life and Love and Help materials have been revised to include educational materials dealing with the conflict between the values of the Unitarian Universalist Association and the Boy Scouts of America; and that the awards be administered by local congregations. The Office of Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian, and Transgender Concerns shall provide additional educational materials about the Boy Scouts of America’s objectionable policies on gay scouts and leaders and duty to God with the existing materials; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Unitarian Universalist Association Administration shall utilize the World, REACH packet, and Faith in Action, to inform Unitarian Universalist congregations and others about the conflicts in values between the Unitarian Universalist Association and the Boy Scouts of America; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the Unitarian Universalist Association explore possible coalitions with other organizations who share our concern with the Boy Scouts of America’s policies to develop effective strategies to seek appropriate changes in those policies.

The Unitarian Universalist Association statement of principles commits us to promoting "the inherent worth and dignity of every person" and "justice, equity, and compassion in human relations."

In 1984 our denomination formally authorized the performing of Services of Union, something our ministers and churches had been doing for some time. We consider ourselves a "Welcoming Denomination." Part of the responsibility of being "Welcoming" calls upon us to participate in and support public efforts to create justice, freedom, and equality for lesbian, gay, and bisexual people in the larger society and to fight against the evils of homophobia.

The need is urgent for mainstream religious denominations to take a positive public position, as three states have already adopted anti same-sex marriage bills and at least 15 states have similar bills pending before their legislatures. The Central Conference of American Rabbis has already voted to support civil marriage for lesbians and gay men and to oppose governmental efforts to bar such unions.

Therefore, since marriage is a fundamental right, and because the U.S. Constitution guarantees equal protection under the law, we, the Board of Trustees of the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations, resolve that the State should permit gay and lesbian couples to marry and share fully and equally in the rights and responsibilities of marriage.

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