Written: 10/30/2012

Ryan Andresen was recently denied his Eagle Scout because he’s gay.  I think I’ve written about him before, but I wanted to pass along a good interview that he and his mom did with Anderson Cooper:

I think it’s telling that gay Eagle Scouts from around the country are sending him their medals.

Because he is an Eagle Scout.  Maybe not “officially” by the National Council, but to who it matters, other Eagles, he is one of us.

All my best,

The King of Spades

Written: 10/28/2012

I love Dan Savage.  Probably more than I should, but he’s a powerful and effective voice for the LGBT community.  He often says what needs to be said in public and moves us all forward.

Which also makes him a target.

But he nailed it on the head.  Hate groups like NOM, FRC and their ilk want to keep kids in the closet, and don’t want to give them any hope.  And that leads to children’s suicide.  No question about it.  Dan spoke about this and caught flak, but I think what he said was justified.

All my best,

The King of Spades

Written: 10/28/2012

Now, I wasn’t told to my face, but please remember, those who fight against equality are increasingly more extreme, and more convinced of their own righteousness:

Hopefully my friends in Maryland will vote to approve marriage equality in two weeks.

All my best,

The King of Spades

Written: 10/28/2012

A lot of Eagle Scouts have been returning their medals and badges, and I can’t fault them, I think that it is a good response to the BSA and a way to stand up and denounce their anti LGBT stance, and even as a way of showing the shame at their horrible record of keeping children safe from abusers.

And it says something that even those who aren’t involved in the program (or were only Scouts for a short time) understand the significance:

It breaks my heart to see so many people having to give up their badges to make their point. As a member of the LGBT community and a one-time Scout, I couldn’t express my gratitude enough because I know firsthand the extent of years, patience, and perseverance it takes to reach Eagle. It’s such a tough place to be in when you feel like you have to give that honor up to defend a higher moral standing. I wouldn’t blame anyone for having a difficult time deciding whether or not to give up their badge and I certainly cannot pass judgment.

Will it make a difference?  I still don’t know.  But I certainly hope so.

And if it doesn’t make a difference, at least it lets the world know that we won’t stand for the bigotry.

As for myself, I fought hard for my Eagle, and fought hard to remain in a place to keep it.  So for now I’ll hold onto it.  But maybe that will change in the future.

All my best,

The King of Spades

Written: 10/28/2012

The courts have released the files of the BSA that show the youth protection incidents.  And more importantly, what the BSA did not do: report those incidents to the police, especially in cases of suspected or confirmed child abuse.

The Good Men Project sums it up:

It is increasingly difficult to comprehend the enormity of the continued unfolding of inaction and unwillingness to protect children through intentional cover-up and denial

All you have to do is go back and reread that sentence.  Now imagine it as the Catholic Church.

And in my mind, the two organizations are just as bad.  I’ve railed against it before.  But you don’t hide the abuse, you don’t try to cover it up or move the leader.  You make sure the child (or adult) is safe in the moment, then you call the police.  Suspend the membership until the investigation is done (innocent until proven guilty of course) and then revoke it if necessary.

There is no excuse for anything else.  None whatsoever and the organization as a whole should be ashamed.

I don’t understand how not to have a hatred towards this kind of institutional abuse.

All my best,

The King of Spades