Out of Touch

When I first joined Scouting at seven years old, I had no concept of the ongoing struggle for acceptance members of the LGBT community had to deal with in their day to day lives. I didn’t even really know what being gay was. All I knew is that when I asked some of my friends why they had not joined Scouts with me, all they said was that their parents didn’t agree with the Boy Scouts’ values. I remember thinking how strange that sounded, because it seemed hard to disagree with any of the noble values listed in the Scout Law. A Scout is Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean and Reverent. Over time, however, I learned that there was a reason Acceptance wasn’t one of the 12 points.

​For years before I had joined Scouts, and for the nearly ten years I have been a member, the BSA has had the discriminatory policy of not allowing gay Scouts or Troop Leaders in their program. Most people tend to know of this policy from when it was taken to the Supreme Court in the 2000 case, Dale v. Boy Scouts of America, in which a gay leader was forced out of the program for their sexual orientation. The BSA received extremely negative press, but ultimately the court ruled that as a private organization they could associate (or disassociate) themselves with whoever they pleased. The organization has continued this policy for more than a decade, often drawing national attention for banning gay scouts and leaders. LGBT organizations and other objectors have called the BSA out of touch with public opinion. This validity of this critique is apparent, considering that all the other major American youth clubs, including 4-H, Girl Scouts, and the Boys and Girls Clubs of America have all accepted LGBT members and leaders. In the most recent presidential election, the nominees of both parties, who can normally agree on nothing, condemned the Boy Scouts’ policy of discrimination.

​Personally, I cannot say I’ve had many encounters with discrimination in Scouting. Being a member of a very liberal troop in a very liberal town, I can’t imagine any boy being barred from participation for any reason. Unfortunately, I and other members of my troop have had to deal with the negative connotation that the conservatives at the head of the organization have embraced: Scouts think being gay is inconsistent with the values of the Scout Law and the Scout Oath, one of the key points of which is being “morally straight.”I am deeply saddened that most people look at the Scouts andsee only this discrimination. However, I am even more saddened that those people who have been discriminated against will never have the chance to know the more positive aspects of scouting- values that I believe are in no way inconsistent with who they are.

​As I am nearing the age when I can no longer be considered a Boy Scout, I must reflect on the meaning of my participation and the program itself. Some of the best experiences of my life have happened while wearing a Boy Scout uniform. At the same time, the policies of the BSA executives have brought shame to the uniform and all who wear it. I am working towards the highest rank of the Boy Scouts, Eagle, but it is near impossible for me to say that I embody the values that supposedly conflict with the core identity of other human beings.