The Boy Scouts of America took the position of admitting “openly gay boys” today. I am still not accepting that the very idea that being gay is the same as being black, hispanic or a white caucasian.
As I read the US Today there was an oped by Wayne Perry, President of the Boy Scouts of America. The title of his oped was “Gay boys deserve Scouting opportunities”.
As usual the oped piece and the headline did not necessarily match. Why is there a litmus test of asking an adolescent young boy if he is attracted to another boy or girl accelerates the issue and demands of maturing into young men more stressful.
By having the young males disclosing their sexuality is subjecting both the guys attracted to the opposite sex from not wanting to share a tent with a scout that has professed being attracted to the same sex. It opens the window where there will be some scouts that will be excluded from some activities from their peers. It also allows the opportunity where there may be some troops that may have all scouts that are attracted to the same sex. Then the possibility that at jamborees and camporees (where multiple troops engage in competitions etc.) the possibility of setting up for those troops being left out and singled out.
As a 1984 recipient of the prestigious BSA Eagle Scout award, I am thankful that the exclusion of adult scout leaders that are attracted to the same sex is still in effect.
