DENVER, Colo. — A Colorado woman says the Boy Scouts offered her a job and then took it back after she says the Boy Scouts told her no thanks’ after they found out she’s a lesbian.
KDVR reportsthat Yasmine Cassini says she was offered a job over lunch.
“I was excited, I knew it was a great career move for me,” she said.
The 29-year-old said after two face-to-face interviews, she was asked to join the Scouts at their 6th Avenue location as Director of the New Adventure Center.
Then, she said, she read the Scouts manual.
“I did not find anything that protects [employees] based on sexual orientation,” Cassini said.
She told the Scouts she was “an openly gay woman” and asked “is this going to affect me with this position?”
It turns out, according to Cassini, it did and she was told over the phone that her employment offer was rescinded.
“The offer was rescinded because I no longer met the minimum qualifications for the position,” Cassini said.
Yasmine Cassini says the Boy Scouts offered her a job and then took it back.
The Boy Scouts require workers to be a member of their organization and adult members are not allowed to be openly gay.
The Boy Scouts would not talk to KDVR on camera, but the organization released the following statement:
“As this is a personnel matter, we are not at liberty to discuss details. But, during the employment process, this individual brought it to our attention that she did not meet the requirements for employment.”
“If you’re going to work for Hooters, you need to be an attractive young lady,” said employment law attorney Elwyn Schaefer said. “They’re not going to necessarily say that, but it is part of their hiring criteria.”
Schaefer said claims of discrimination can be tough to prove.
Questions courts have to determine include, “Does the employer know that you’re gay or perceive you’re gay by your mannerisms, by your mode of dress, and are they basing that decision to hire or fire based on that perception, even if it’s not accurate?”
Cassini said she though the Boy Scouts recent youth membership modifications meant the organization was evolving.
“I want to raise awareness that discrimination is not OK – and it’s something that is still occurring and it has to stop,” Cassini said. “Something needs to change and that change needs to happen now.”
