WASHINGTON D.C- Just recently, the Boy Scouts of America
(commonly known as the BSA) voted on a bill that will allow openly gay and
lesbian members to participate in everyday scouting activities. 1,400 voting
members approved the change with more than 60% of the vote.
Finally, the fight is over for the thousands of openly gay
scouters.
This was about the
time when Ohio native and “Den Leader” Jennifer Tyrrell received a notice of
suspension from the scouting movement due to her lesbian status. This was going
to get ugly.
The 101 year old movement that teaches the basics of outdoor
survival and citizenship to millions of children and teens around America just
recently came under fire for their rather old fashioned status on gay members
and leaders. Until the recent bill, no openly gay members or leaders could
participate in scouting activities of any kind as they were “a threat to our
children”. The new bill, enacted in late April, allows for openly gay members,
but not leaders.
“The standards of membership for
youth have been changed much to out approval, the standards of adults have not
been changed and have served us well in the last 100 years so we like where we
stand”
In last the year alone, the BSA has
seen an almost 30% rise in youth dropping the scouting movement due to their
stance on gay and lesbian members. A number not expressing the youths so called
love for the Scouting Program and its many members.
Statistics show that almost an
estimated 3.5% of adults in the United States identify as lesbian, gay, or
bisexual and an estimated 0.3% of adults are transgender. This implies that
there are approximately 9 million LGBT Americans, a figure roughly equivalent
to the population of New Jersey.
With inclusiveness and acceptance
on the rise in America, it is of no surprise that many people who define
themselves as homosexual are feeling more and more comfortable coming out to
family and friends. Why can’t the BSA be more accepting towards members of this
minority?
“We have an obligation to god” was
their only response.
Ugh, not another one of these
groups again.
If the BSA wishes to stay a
powerful and helpful program to millions of American children, they must become
more accepting of others. If not, the BSA will see an enormous increase of
dropped scouters.
So my advice to you Boy Scouts of America, find your compass,
it is clear your lost in the woods.
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