WASHINGTON, DC, Sep. 7, 00 (CWNews.com)

    News reports that corporate sponsors had begun to pull financial support from the Boy Scouts of America after the US Supreme Court upheld the group's right to exclude homosexuals were greatly exaggerated, according to WorldNetDaily.com on Thursday.

    The news site said the reports, most originating with a New York Times article, have incorrect or misleading lists of corporations that have withdrawn their donations. The list of former donors had included Levi Strauss, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, First Interstate, Chase Manhattan, Textron, AMICA, and First Union.

    According to WorldNetDaily, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, First Interstate, Chase Manhattan, AMICA, and First Union had considered dropping funding in the past, but have not done so. Textron had only made a one-time $3,000 donation to a local council in 1998, while Levi dropped funding of the Scouts in 1992 over the homosexual policy.

    The Boy Scouts have also said that donations and membership have reached record levels in recent years. "All across the country, Scouting is prospering and growing," said Robert M. Gates, president of the National Eagle Scout Association in a recent letter to members. "Virtually every council has had healthy growth in both youth members and adult volunteers." He also said that every council has reported improved financial support. BSA national spokesman Greg Shields added that enrollment is higher than at any time since the 1970s.

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