Madonna calls on Boy Scouts to lift ban on gays
NEW YORK (AP) — Wearing a replica of one of the organization's uniforms, Madonna called on the Boy Scouts to lift its ban on gays while also calling for a "revolution" to prevent discrimination and abuse of the gay, lesbian, transgender and bisexual community.
Speaking Saturday night at the GLAAD Media Awards, Madonna started off in a mischievous mood. She joked that she wanted to become a part of the Boy Scouts herself, but was turned down, even though she had the qualifications.
"I can build a fire. I know how to pitch a tent," said Madonna, sporting a Boy Scouts troop leader hat and a blue shirt and shorts set that included replicas of Boy Scout badges.
"I can rescue kittens from trees. . Most importantly, I know how to scout for boys," she said, before adding, "I think they should change their stupid rules."
The Boy Scouts of America does not permit openly gay people to serve in the organization — a decision that has come under increasing fire over the years.
Later, she got serious as she talked about the conflicts in the world and of the bullying of young gay, lesbian and transgender people.
"When I think about young kids in America who are being bullied and tortured, who are taking their own lives because they feel alone and judged, outcast and misunderstood, I want to sit down and cry a river of tears," Madonna said.
Noting that she has teenagers herself, she said, "It's an atrocity to me, I don't accept it."
Later she said, "I don't know about you, but I can't take this (expletive) anymore. That is why I want to start a revolution. It's 2013 people. We live in America, land of the free and home of the brave? That's a question, not a statement."
Madonna was on hand to give the Vito Russo Award to CNN anchor Anderson Cooper. She lauded Cooper for standing up for the rights of others.
Also honored by the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation was the NBC musical series "Smash," the documentary "How To Survive a Plague," and "The Amazing Race." Brett Ratner was also given the Ally Award — a turnaround from 2011, when the organization condemned the director for using an anti-gay slur, and he stepped down from a plan to direct the 2012 Academy Awards in the ensuing controversy.
Since then, Ratner has worked with the organization and made a public service announcement to promote equality.
Speaking Saturday night at the GLAAD Media Awards, Madonna started off in a mischievous mood. She joked that she wanted to become a part of the Boy Scouts herself, but was turned down, even though she had the qualifications.
"I can build a fire. I know how to pitch a tent," said Madonna, sporting a Boy Scouts troop leader hat and a blue shirt and shorts set that included replicas of Boy Scout badges.
"I can rescue kittens from trees. . Most importantly, I know how to scout for boys," she said, before adding, "I think they should change their stupid rules."
The Boy Scouts of America does not permit openly gay people to serve in the organization — a decision that has come under increasing fire over the years.
Later, she got serious as she talked about the conflicts in the world and of the bullying of young gay, lesbian and transgender people.
"When I think about young kids in America who are being bullied and tortured, who are taking their own lives because they feel alone and judged, outcast and misunderstood, I want to sit down and cry a river of tears," Madonna said.
Noting that she has teenagers herself, she said, "It's an atrocity to me, I don't accept it."
Later she said, "I don't know about you, but I can't take this (expletive) anymore. That is why I want to start a revolution. It's 2013 people. We live in America, land of the free and home of the brave? That's a question, not a statement."
Madonna was on hand to give the Vito Russo Award to CNN anchor Anderson Cooper. She lauded Cooper for standing up for the rights of others.
Also honored by the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation was the NBC musical series "Smash," the documentary "How To Survive a Plague," and "The Amazing Race." Brett Ratner was also given the Ally Award — a turnaround from 2011, when the organization condemned the director for using an anti-gay slur, and he stepped down from a plan to direct the 2012 Academy Awards in the ensuing controversy.
Since then, Ratner has worked with the organization and made a public service announcement to promote equality.
ACK! God, what a horrible photo. It's like Hillary Clinton in drag appearing in an episode of The Walking Dead.Â
In reply to her statements, the Boy Scouts of America replied "Uh... Who's Madonna?"Â
Madonna has to do something. Â Her competition, lady gag, is doing things that makes Madonna seem mild.
Like anybody cares what she thinks... least of all, people with character.
It's obvious nobody takes her seriously.. She's a freak show.Â
 Boy Scouts calls on Madonna to STFU!!!!!!!
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@TheUglyTruth It's because of the scout oath. They are high on morals, they feel loving someone differently is immoral. What is immoral is where their mind goes when they topic of gay comes up. It has very little to do with sexual acts, but has everything to do with loving someone differently than you. Your ugly truth is delusional.
Whether you agree with her stance or not, a concert isn't the place for singers to spew their political (or other agenda). As I've said in a previous post under another story, when I go to a concert, I'm paying to hear the performer sing and perhaps joke around and have fun with the audience. I'm not paying to hear them rant about their politics or anything else, such as same sex rights, whether their stance is the same as mine or not.
 Shut up and sing!!
Dear Madonna,
Go whine to someone that sees things in the real of stupidity in which you reside. Â Leave the BSA the heck alone and go find somewhere else to preach your tolerance agenda. Â The BSA want nothing to do with the gay agenda. Â Get that through your head and stop trying to bully them into accepting your lower moral standpoint.
Go after bad plastic surgeons. Â It seems that is where your fight SHOULD be.
Dear Madonna, we don't care.
I could care less about Madonna.I just want to know if the BSA is indeed a private organization,why are they accepting privileges from the Department of Defense, including funding, facilities, organization, advertising, and incentives in hiring for their Eagle Scouts?
So what took so long...did her opinions just recently evolve? It is good that she has followed everyone else to this conclusion but it pretty much indicates how old out of touch and irrelevant she has become.Â
coming from a person who had a weirdo Sex book
Madonna has no morals and she asking that?????
ohoh, is she gonna cut contributions if they don't?
Isn't that Hillary?
Yikes!!! She hardly looks recognizable anymore.
Like a Virgin touched for the 10000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 time.
I just want her to stop singing and talking both. Â To the groups against the BSA stance - don't pick her as your spokesperson. Â Unless you want to lose the fight.
She's worried about the gay kids who are being bullied? Talk about a big bully herself! All I can say is those that are demanding the BSA to include openly gay people are bullying the organization itself - forcing them to become "status quo". This is not a government funded operation. This is a private sector club.Â
Get lost.Â
I call on Madonna to go away. Far away... and stay away.
What is the point of an organization or club if you have to take everybody and cannot exclude who you do not like?
I call on Madonna to get a face lift. Man, that is one but-fugly woman!
@Finally Still wouldn't help...
@Finally Plastic surgery is the answer for old people? Hmm.... no.
@Morticae @Finally No. Like the man said, just for fugly people. She is the Queen of Fugly.
@Finally Just an old women, living her life just like the candle in the wind. And now, when she is old, she will start to bug us about what is right and what's wrong,because of nothing else to do. At least go on the radio, if they hire you. Who supposed to look at you now?
There's ugly, and then there is Madonna ugly. Ugh!
@theobserver Indeed. What is needed is a ban on Madonna.
Oh yeah...like the BSA are going to listen to her. And lordy...she's really showing her age...I look younger than she does and I'm 10 years older! All she's got now is her name....and that's it :(
If she really wants to make a difference get muslims to lift their ban on women.
She is straining at gnats and swallowing a camel.
@RalphCramden She couldn't do that Ralph. If she did, the Religion of Peace would put a hit out on her.
Leave the Boy Scouts alone! As long as they are not publicly trashing the gay rights movement, they are entitled to their standards. Let the gay community form the Gay Scouts of America and prohibit hetero's from joining, case closed. And no, I don't miss the point and having parallel organizations that serve the same purpose but with different standards is no different than having different political parties. If you want equal civil rights, by all means have them but you don't have the right to jam yourselves down the throats of private organizations.
Banning Madonna would be much better.
And the award to the singer with the biggest posse goes to umm no madonna posse um POSSE that's right thanks madonna.
Who said that joke family guy???
Is it just me or is she starting to look more and more like phyllis diller?
I was leaning to the Cyndi Lauper look, but after checking out how Cyndi DOES look, I have to agree with your choice.
I call on Madonna to find an orthodontist.
@axpman That's one fugly chick.
@TreeWizard  She was a "chick" 30 years ago...now she's a soup hen.