Been a while since I’ve written about the BSA, so I wanted to take a minute and discuss the current state of things.
January 1 the new policy went into affect, allowing openly gay, lesbian and bisexual youth to join (girls are able to join Venturing at age 14). And of course, the sky has not fallen. From all views, it has been a total non-issue, just like we kind of figured it would be.
Now, the policy itself is hypocritical, since it tells youth that it’s okay that they’re gay (or bi), but once they become an adult, ‘we don’t want you anymore.’
And it also creates the problems, that in the above mentioned Venturing program, youth is defined as a member under the age of 21. Meaning a gay Scout can earn his Eagle in a Troop, be forbidden from being an adult volunteer, but could at the same time have three more years in a Crew as a youth member.
And we knew this going into it. My best guess is that national knew it too, and sees it as an easy out. It’s an easy fix, and once enough of the country realizes how crazy and two-faced this policy is, it’s a quick and easy fix. Add to that, the fact that former Defense Secretary Robert Gates is the new President, considering he is man who implemented the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, I don’t think we’re far out from full equality.
And this is not hypothetical. A youth in Maryland, Pascal Tessier, became the first (known) openly gay Eagle Scout under the new policy in February. And while this was the more important part of the change, it’s still incredibly important to all full equality: otherwise we’re telling LGB youth that they’re broken and they’re not worthy, and we don’t give them role models to look up to. And companies will continue to pull back funding, such as Walt Disney World, which will not donate to the BSA until the policy is fully inclusive.
Scouts for Equality continues their great work, and I’m happy to keep supporting and working with them behind the scenes:
Here in Pittsburgh, I volunteered last year at MountainFest II after enough people begged me to. Even though I was uncomfortable, it was nice to be back at camp, and most of the camp volunteers are freaking awesome and I was happy to see them again.
I’m also working with the Camp Staff Alumni Association, which is a separate non-profit, so while I can’t be a registered member of the BSA, I can still volunteer through the CSAA.
And I know this policy will change, and probably faster than I imagine.
All my best,
Mike
