Affiliation Based on Lifestyle:
Constitutional Question or Moral Dilemma
by Steve Dresser
In February 2000, the ACB board of directors, in an unprecedented move that sent shock waves through the entire organization, created a new ACB affiliate, Blind Friends of Lesbians and Gays (BFLAG). To my knowledge, this is the first ACB affiliate based primarily on lifestyle. Although there are certainly blindness-related concerns here, as there are in every aspect of life for blind people, I think the majority of BFLAG’s concerns have to do with lifestyle and sexual orientation, with blindness taking a distant second place. Creation of this affiliate has, in my opinion, set a dangerous precedent for ACB, and one that will cause deep and lasting rifts within the organization.
It has been argued that by creating this affiliate, the board, and therefore the American Council of the Blind, has given tacit approval to homosexuality. Although it is tempting to make this kind of logical leap, especially if you oppose the creation of this affiliate either on moral or religious grounds, you should understand that the board’s decision was based on ACB’s constitution, and had nothing to do with morality.
The requirements for becoming an affiliate of the American Council of the Blind are spelled out in Article III of ACB’s Constitution, “Membership, Voting and Dues” as follows:
“Any organization having at least twenty-five (25) voting members, the majority of whom are blind, may apply for affiliation with this organization [ACB]. Such application must be approved by a majority of the Board of Directors. To remain in good standing an affiliate shall maintain a membership of at least fifteen (15), a majority of whom are blind.”
Section B of Bylaw 10, “Application for Affiliation,” states the information that must be included in an application for affiliation:
“Such an application shall contain the following information: a cover letter stating the reasons for the application, a current membership list indicating those members who are legally blind, those who are voting members, and a copy of the applicant’s governing documents including, as applicable, its constitution, bylaws, and articles of incorporation. An application shall be accompanied by a tender of one year’s affiliate dues computed under ACB’s Bylaws and based on the membership list submitted with the application.”
It’s not hard to understand why the board granted BFLAG’s request for affiliation. BFLAG met all the constitutional requirements, and the board wanted to uphold ACB’s policy of including any organization of blind people. Unfortunately, in its haste to be counted on the side of political correctness, the board overlooked two very important things. First, BFLAG’s concerns have more to do with lifestyle than with blindness. Second, many ACB members see sexual orientation as both a moral and a religious issue. They feel that the board’s decision forces them to choose between their religion and an organization which they regard as a vital part of their lives. It’s an impossible choice, and one that no one should have to make.