Gays in Scouting

Unfortunately, it is complex. BSA is a private organization that was founded prior to any public outing of gay and lesbian lifestyles. As well, it was founded during a time of conservative religious practice, and has integrated a duty to God over the century plus of its existence.

This doesn't exclude to idea of changing with the times. BSA has updated and modified many aspects of its program over the years to keep up with current national evolutions and generations. Some examples would include advanced leader training, on par with Fortune 500 corporate programs, that teach leaders differences in learning between generations, understanding teaching and learning styles, and methods of communication and conflict resolution. Youth program has added leadership training paralleling the adult training, but also has kept pace with technology and diversity related to religion and culture.

Protection of youth has undertaken significant renovation with mandatory and aggressive training on recognizing bullying, sexual harassment, and child abuse.

The complexity doesn't stem from whether or not BSA wants to be teaching hate or not. I don't believe at all it's a question of inclusiveness vs hate. When an organizations constituent body is predominantly composed of mainstream religious organizations, then, yes, the question of including gay and lesbian scouts and leaders does become complex to the survival of the organization. An organization that is private but behaves, and is perceived, as public.

The complexity of the issue is understanding the monumental shift in direction the group would have to move toward. Many charter organizations would disband units, devastating enrollment. While the general public may support a drop in the ban, and they are a beneficiary of the program, they do not represent the membership. Delaying will give the BSA board an opportunity to determine what direction its membership wants to go, not just the public and special interest groups.

Should they (us, since I am a scout leader) open up to gay and lesbian? I don't know. Should Apple include Windows 8 with its computers? Should we go to Mars? Should priests be married? Should we pull out of the Middle East?

I think the very act of considering this kind if change in ideology within the BSA is recognition that they (we) take our mission seriously: preparing boys (and girls in three of our programs) to be leaders and contributors to society. Should we include ALL boys and girls, men and women, regardless of sexual orientation? Sorry, gotta pass on my decision for the moment, because it's a complex issue that I don't take lightly.

Rumblings from a scout leader.