Loophole Slipped Into Measure Anti-Gay Bias Seen In Defense Bill
December 21, 2005
By DAVID LIGHTMAN,
Washington Bureau Chief

WASHINGTON -- Republican leaders quietly included in a sweeping defense spending bill a paragraph designed to pre-empt state and local anti-discrimination laws - a change that could make it easier for youth groups, notably the Boy Scouts, to bar gays and others from their functions.

The provision says that any state or town government that receives federal housing and community development funds cannot deny the scouts or other youth groups equal access to public meeting places.

Many House members, who approved the bill overwhelmingly Monday, said they were unaware of the language when they voted around 4 a.m. on a bill most had not read or even seen. Story