KPBS Midday Edition

Former Eagle Scout Says New Gay Policy Doesn't Go Far Enough

By Maureen Cavanaugh / KPBS Midday Edition Co-Host, Marissa Cabrera / News Producer, KPBS Midday Edition

Published January 6, 2014 at 8:20 AM PST

This story was published more than 11 years ago.

Former Eagle Scout Says New Gay Policy Doesn't Go Far Enough

GuestsChance Kawar, former Eagle Scout, Troop 51-La Mesa Tyler Dylan-Hyde, Scouts for Equality

The Boy Scouts of America's new policy on gay scouts is now in effect and the organization no longer denies membership based on sexual orientation.

National Scout leaders said the change will not effect troop sponsorship in most instances. In a statement Deron Smith, director, BSA Public Relations said:

"While we won't have recruitment information or membership numbers until next year, we're hearing from our councils that only a handful of chartered organizations have decided not to renew their sponsorship of troops. Current estimates are that between 98-99% of our units have not been impacted by the policy change."

But a few conservative faith-based organizations, included at least one here in San Diego, said they will stop sponsoring Scout Troops because of the change in policy.

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On the other side of the coin, gay rights advocates continue to criticize the Boy Scout policy of banning gays from becoming adult scout leaders and continue to work for full equality within the Boy Scout organization.

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KPBS Midday Edition LGBTQ+

Maureen Cavanaugh

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Maureen Cavanaugh has been a familiar voice for KPBS listeners for more than 15 years, serving in a variety of capacities including announcer, host, and producer. As host of KPBS Midday Edition, Maureen has interviewed a wide range of notables, such as comedienne Sandra Bernhardt, actor John Lequizamo, author Chuck Palahniuk, composer Marvin Hamlisch, artist Robert Irwin, and designer Zandra Rhodes. But of all the interviews Maureen has conducted, her most special was with His Holiness, the Dalai Lama. Before joining KPBS in 1997, she worked as a news anchor for KSDO and KOGO News Radio in San Diego. While working for commercial radio stations in San Diego and in Salt Lake City, Utah, Maureen reported on both hard news and lifestyle features. Maureen has received three "Golden Mike" awards from the Radio and TV News Association of Southern California for economic reporting and breaking news. She has also received a "Best of Show" and “Best Radio Newscast” awards from the San Diego Press Club and the "Flo" Award from Public Radio Program Directors Association for Best Public Radio Announcer in a large market. Maureen is a native of Queens, New York, but after more than 20 years in San Diego she feels she qualifies as a real Southern Californian.

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Marissa Cabrera

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Marissa Cabrera worked as a producer for KPBS Midday Edition and had previously served as a Newscast Producer for KPBS' Morning Edition. Before joining KPBS she reported on Vatican affairs, social, and cultural issues in Rome, Italy. She also contributed to a documentary on sex abuse in the Catholic Church. Marissa has worked as a multimedia journalist at various news stations in San Diego and Monterey as well as Columbia, Missouri. Marissa graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a bachelor's degree in broadcast journalism.

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