A small item in the news
the other day has created a bit
of excitement in my email inbox. As of
this posting no fewer than 33 people
have contacted me asking what do I think
of the announcement by the Boy Scouts of America, upholding the BSA policy prohibiting Gays and Lesbians from participation in the American Scouting program.
BSA chief executive Bob Mazzuca said the policy is supported by most Scout families:
"The vast majority of the parents of youth we serve value their right to address issues of same-sex orientation within their family, with spiritual advisers and at the appropriate time and in the right setting. We fully understand that no single policy will accommodate the many diverse views among our membership or society."
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| Summer Camp Staff - 1987 |
The decision to keep the current membership policies in
place was the right one. I understand
many of you may be very surprised to hear me say that. But hear me out... I
understand the anger many of my
fellow former Scouts and Scouters feel
towards the BSA on this issue. It is
very easy, and even cathartic to point fingers at Irving Texas and decry the bigotry and discrimination the current membership policies perpetuate.
The fact is, the
BSA is not at present, able to make that kind of cultural change.
The reasons for this are not because of a “culture of homophobia” that critics of the BSA
like claim is behind the decision. The policies on membership in the BSA have very little to do with morals or
social attitudes, and very much to do with political and financial
realities.
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| Scout Camp Staff - 1991 |
I was an active member of Scouting for over a quarter of a century, and
not once, did I ever hear anyone
say being Gay or Lesbian was either good or bad. The subject simply never came up. The topic of
human sexuality really had nothing do with
outdoor skills and leadership development.
The argument that many supporters of the policy
make, that banning Gay and Lesbian volunteers is a “Youth Protection Issue” is equally ridiculous. Statistics on abuse cases in organizations
like the BSA paint a clear and very different picture of who is a threat to kids in Scouting The majority of cases involve married, self-identified heterosexuals with children of their own in the program, and not Gay and Lesbian parents. So why is the policy still there? The answer is complicated but the reasons can largely be traced back to a deal the BSA made over 30 years ago.
In the 1970's the Mormon Church (Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter Day Saints) offered to make the BSA an official youth program for the entire Mormon church. Meaning EVERY LDS church in America
would sponsor a Boy Scout Troop and/or Cub Scout Pack, or Explorer Scout post.
This was at a time when membership in Scouting was in dramatic decline and many
thought the program had seen it's day. Then the LDS Church came along with their offer, and with it tens
of thousands of kids joined the program. It made the Mormon Church the single
largest sponsor of Scouting, which also gave the LDS church a great deal of say
over how Scouting is run.
The 2nd largest sponsor of Scouting is the Catholic Church. The reality is, the membership policy needed to be upheld. For the simple reason that both the Mormon Church and the Catholic Church have said that should the membership policies in question (the ban on Gay and Lesbians and the requirement to believe in a God (any God, the policy does not specify, all it says you have to believe in a higher spiritual Power) Should either of those policies be changed BOTH churches would pull out of Scouting completely.
That would mean the end of the Boy Scouts of America. The BSA, at present, would not be able to function without the membership and money that the sponsorship by those two churches provides. So the question becomes do you kill the entire program, over this one issue?
Many in the BSA would in all honestly love to be able to just quietly get rid of both policies , The public relations nightmare that has resulted from keeping in place discrimination is one the BSA would really like to be free of. But it really is not up to the BSA at this point. The Boy Scouts of America is for better or worse, a hostage to the financial support of two religious organizations that practice politically expedient homophobia. Until that changes, the BSA is not in a position to make any change in its membership policies.
The 2nd largest sponsor of Scouting is the Catholic Church. The reality is, the membership policy needed to be upheld. For the simple reason that both the Mormon Church and the Catholic Church have said that should the membership policies in question (the ban on Gay and Lesbians and the requirement to believe in a God (any God, the policy does not specify, all it says you have to believe in a higher spiritual Power) Should either of those policies be changed BOTH churches would pull out of Scouting completely.
That would mean the end of the Boy Scouts of America. The BSA, at present, would not be able to function without the membership and money that the sponsorship by those two churches provides. So the question becomes do you kill the entire program, over this one issue?
Many in the BSA would in all honestly love to be able to just quietly get rid of both policies , The public relations nightmare that has resulted from keeping in place discrimination is one the BSA would really like to be free of. But it really is not up to the BSA at this point. The Boy Scouts of America is for better or worse, a hostage to the financial support of two religious organizations that practice politically expedient homophobia. Until that changes, the BSA is not in a position to make any change in its membership policies.
So what should parents who disagree with the policies do? Simple you need to take responsibility as a parent and do what the BSA suggests that you do - "The vast majority of the parents of youth we serve value their right to address issues of same-sex orientation within their family, with spiritual advisers and at the appropriate time and in the right setting...."
The decision by the BSA offers parents of Scouts the opportunity to have a conversation with their kids about the issues of equality and civil rights. And by that, I mean the rights of Gays and Lesbians AND the rights of a private non-profit organization like Scouting to set their own membership standards. My mother is an ordained Lutheran Minister, so naturally I feel the Catholic Church's ban on female clergy is incredibly stupid, therefore, I am not a Catholic. Yet the United States Constitution protects the Catholic Church's right to be incredibly stupid.
For me, the decision to leave Scouting was incredibly painful. I love the program and to say it has been a huge part of my life, would be a massive understatement. I have met the most amazing friends I have ever known through my involvement in the Boy Scouts of America. But for me to have remained in Scouting as an adult, meant I would have had to lie. Lie about who I am, and who I love. So I had to make a choice. As a result of that choice, some of those friends, I have lost. Many however, most however, understood, and hope one day to see me back in that Scout uniform.
Likewise if you in good conscience cannot live with the BSA's membership policies, then you need to make a choice. Does this one issue negate everything else positive about Scouting? If for you, it does, then by all means, don't join, or if you and/or your kids are in Scouting now, the choice may be to get out. There are plenty of other activities and organizations out there for young people to join.
It is worth noting, there are groups who are working to bring about a change in the policies of the BSA. Groups like Scouting For All, have worked to educate both the BSA and its sponsoring organizations. The fact that Scouting has spent the last two years studying the issue is testament to the impact these groups and individuals are having.
Lord Robert Baden-Powell, the founder of Scouting once said "Your influence, like your shadow may reach places you will never be..." Change for the BSA won't come through a task force of 11 people, debating for two years. It will come through the power of example of people who believe the values of Scouting are not limited only to heterosexuals.
So if you understand that a movement can be better than, and bigger than the organizations that represent it. If your experience in Scouting isn't defined by this one issue. Then by all means, stay in the program. Be the example.
The decision by the BSA offers parents of Scouts the opportunity to have a conversation with their kids about the issues of equality and civil rights. And by that, I mean the rights of Gays and Lesbians AND the rights of a private non-profit organization like Scouting to set their own membership standards. My mother is an ordained Lutheran Minister, so naturally I feel the Catholic Church's ban on female clergy is incredibly stupid, therefore, I am not a Catholic. Yet the United States Constitution protects the Catholic Church's right to be incredibly stupid.
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| At my last Scouting Event in 2000 |
Likewise if you in good conscience cannot live with the BSA's membership policies, then you need to make a choice. Does this one issue negate everything else positive about Scouting? If for you, it does, then by all means, don't join, or if you and/or your kids are in Scouting now, the choice may be to get out. There are plenty of other activities and organizations out there for young people to join.
It is worth noting, there are groups who are working to bring about a change in the policies of the BSA. Groups like Scouting For All, have worked to educate both the BSA and its sponsoring organizations. The fact that Scouting has spent the last two years studying the issue is testament to the impact these groups and individuals are having. So if you understand that a movement can be better than, and bigger than the organizations that represent it. If your experience in Scouting isn't defined by this one issue. Then by all means, stay in the program. Be the example.
To those among my friends who see this week's announcement as a defeat, my response is, (as frustrating as it is to hear...) be patient. The arc of history bends toward equality. I honestly believe the BSA will get there. When it does, I will be first in line to once again, put on a uniform, and give of both my time and money.
In the meantime, I would point out that you may be focusing your anger on the wrong target. It is the bigotry and homophobia of the Mormon and Catholic churches that is at the center of this issue. Yes the leadership of the BSA does bear responsibility for keeping these policies in place, but I would also say, don't JUST blame the hostage. Blame the two groups who are holding the BSA hostage.
In the meantime, I would point out that you may be focusing your anger on the wrong target. It is the bigotry and homophobia of the Mormon and Catholic churches that is at the center of this issue. Yes the leadership of the BSA does bear responsibility for keeping these policies in place, but I would also say, don't JUST blame the hostage. Blame the two groups who are holding the BSA hostage.
