An estimated 70 activists turned out at Chicago's first participation in Scouting For All's national days of action to protest the anti-gay and anti-atheist policy of the Boy Scouts of America. The rally was held at the founding site for the Scouts in the U.S. Supporters of the rally sponsored by the Chicago Anti-Bashing Network ( CABN ) included representatives from the Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, the Chicago Gender Society, Edgewater Uptown Greens, Sangat, and the Japanese American Service League.
A particular focus of the rally was the Chicago United Way's continued funding of the Chicago Scouts. Speakers denounced the $424,000 the United Way pledged to give the Scouts in the fiscal year beginning July 1 and urged members of the public to cease payroll deductions to the United Way until they stop Scouts funding, as so many other United Ways around the country already have done.
Speakers included: Andy Thayer, co-founder of CABN; Rich Halperin, Regional Council Coordinator for Parents and Friends of Lesbians And Gays ( PFLAG ) ; Donna Blaha of Glenview PFLAG; Lori Fox, a former Scout, transgendered woman, and member of Chicago Gender Society; Mark Armantrout, a member of both the Edgewater-Uptown Greens and the Lavender Greens; and Jen Chapin Harris and Aaron Adair of CABN.
CABN's next big event is our annual "March Against Anti-Gay Hate" on the third anniversary of the lynching of Matthew Shepard in Wyoming. This year's event will start at 8 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 6 at the corner of Halsted and Roscoe in the heart of Chicago's gay community. Call ( 773 ) 878-3697 or ( 888 ) 471.0874 ( toll-free ) .