A southern Arizona Senator this week accused gays and lesbians of, “targeting conservative main stays of society” and said they should be barred from holding leadership positions with the Boy Scouts of America.
Melvin shared his thoughts on Twitter as the BSA’s national executive board considers lifting its longtime ban tomorrow on homosexuals joining and leading the organization.
Melvin did not immediately return phone calls. The Republican lawmaker is a former Merchant Marine and staunch conservative who supports anti-abortion legislation and bans on gay marriage.
On Monday, Melvin posted on his Twitter page, “Hopefully, the Boy Scouts of America won’t change their policy of not allowing gays in the scout and leadership ranks of the BSA.”
He then wrote, “Gays & lesbians make up less that 5% of the USA population but they’re targeting conservative main stays of society including BSA.”
The debate over gays and lesbians in the scouts has taken center stage this week as the BSA National Executive Board is scheduled to vote Wednesday on lifting a ban on gays it reaffirmed a year ago.
President Barack Obama added fuel to the debate on Sunday when he told CBS that gays should be allowed in the scouts.
“My attitude is … that gays and lesbians should have access and opportunity the same way everybody else does, in every institution and walk of life,” Obama said.
“The Scouts are a great institution that are promoting young people and exposing them to, you know, opportunities and leadership that will serve people for the rest of their lives.”