The Boy Scouts of America has been scrutinized by the public and the press lately due to their controversial membership policy. The current policy is that no “open or avowed homosexual” is allowed membership in the Boy Scouts of America. A proposed change would place the decision to allow or not allow gay leaders and boys membership in the hands of each troop’s chartering organization (i.e. churches, civic clubs, etc.) The National Council decided to delay voting on the proposal until the annual meeting in May.
The BSA needs to stop dragging its heels on this issue and make a decision. While there isn’t an easily executed solution, the proposed change seems to be the best solution at the moment. Scouting leaders, scouts and their families are divided on this issue. Allowing each chartering organization to choose for themselves might cause the issue to be prolonged, but it at least will result in gay scouts being able to participate in what is, in my opinion, the best youth organization for boys.
The issue is more difficult when involving leaders rather than boys. Allowing each chartering organization to determine whether to allow homosexual leaders makes sense. Civic or religious organizations sponsor troops because they see the opportunity to instill great values in boys. While the core values promoted by the Boy Scouts can obviously be taught by either gay or straight leaders, the sponsoring organizations may be opposed to homosexuality for religious reasons, so having a gay leader would compromise the missions of those particular organizations outside of Scouting.
If the proposal is to be passed, the language must protect those chartering organizations that decide to not allow gay members and leaders. The BSA is attempting to deflect legal action. That’s fine, as long as the legal action is not deflected onto individual troops or their chartering organizations. The BSA needs to act responsibly and take care of its members.
I have known gay Eagle Scouts and I can tell you that those scouts deserve their Eagle Scout Award just as much as I deserve mine. Gay scouts deserve the opportunity to grow, learn and achieve through the Scouting program. At the same time, the gay scouts that I have known did not necessarily “hide” their preferences in order to be allowed to participate; it wasn’t really a topic of discussion. Whether a boy is gay or straight should have no bearing on his involvement. The BSA’s membership policy shouldn’t have to draw a distinction between gay and straight Scouts. No troop asks boys their sexual preferences before allowing them to join. I don’t foresee an 11-18-year-old boy joining Scouts in order to push the “gay agenda.” Boys join Scouts to have fun, to learn and to have the opportunity to make significant personal accomplishments. I hope that boys have that opportunity for years to come.
