This is the best tl;dr I could make, original reduced by 69%. (I'm a bot)
> The Boy Scouts of America says it stands with the Black Lives Matter movement and will require all Eagle Scouts to earn a "Diversity and inclusion merit badge."
> The BSA reported in 2019 that it had more than 1.18 million Cub Scouts, nearly 799,000 Boy Scouts and about 800,000 adult volunteers.
> Those figures were a decline from 2016 when the BSA had more than 1.26 million Cub Scouts, nearly 830,000 Boy Scouts and some 960,000 adult volunteers.
> The BSA angered conservatives in 2014 by lifting its ban on openly gay members and by allowing openly gay adults to be scout leaders a year later.
> That same year, the BSA announced that it would allow girls to join the Cub Scouts, which had been exclusively for boys, and that it was setting up a program that would enable older girls to reach the coveted rank of Eagle Scout.
> When the BSA announced that it was changing the name of a program for 11- to 17-year-olds to the more gender-neutral Scouts BSA, starting in February 2019, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced that it was ending a 105-year partnership with the BSA and starting its own youth program.
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Post found in /r/news, /r/NBCauto and /r/ReddLineNews.
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I put neutral with regards to the overall topic. Then it asked about specific scenerios about gays within the organization. I answered favorable to gay rights in all of those questions. Then it asked the following two questions and I responded as such:
What is your greatest concern if the policy remains in place and openly gay youth and adults are prohibited from joining Scouting? (Please be specific.)
If the Boy Scouts of America is receiving funds in any such way from the United States government then they should immedietley ceace the policy of disallowing openly gay members to join. If the BSA does not receive any funding from the US Government then it is an issue that should be decided within the organization itself (much as you're doing now). I'm generally neatral on the topic simply because I don't think there should be any discrimination toward gay people within the organization but I also think to be openly gay means you are openly discussing sexuality with minors which I don't think should happen at all. The question should never be asked and the information should never be offered. If a member has a father and a step father that both want to be leaders in the troop then they should both be allowed to be scoutmasters of the group with no inquiries into their sexual orientation.
What is your greatest concern if the policy is changed to allow charter organizations to make their own decisions to admit openly gay Scouts and leaders? (Please be specific.)
Much the same as above. If openly gay members are allowed to join then that means that sexuality is being discussed and I don't think conversations about sexuality have any place within the boy scouts. I think I would need further clarification as to what "openly gay" means. If it means they declare their sexuality upon joining, then no, they shouldn't be allowed to join. I also think though that if a hetrosexual declares their sexuality upon being a part of the organization, they too should not be allowed to join. Not because of their sexual preference but because they are discussing it in an inappropriat
... keep reading on reddit ➡Or just have the Scouts of America, combining the two organizations, where scouts can work on both skillsets at once.
Hey all, my Op-Ed just got published. Here is a text copy of it. There are many things to say about the boy scouts and their policy, this is what fits in to 400 words or less. For more of us Former Eagle Scouts, see eaglebadges.tumblr.com
From A Former Eagle Scout
I learned a new chant this weekend at the Worcester Pride Parade: “1, 2, 3, 4, open up the closet door, 5, 6, 7, 8, don’t assume your kids are straight.”
The sexual orientation expectations of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) are reinforced in every recitation of its oath “…to keep [the scout] physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.” Exercise, cool. Don’t do drugs, alright. Don’t be gay? Hold on a minute. Homosexuality is not misbehavior, dishonesty of character, or a blemish on one’s morality. It is abhorrent and unacceptable that a highly regarded youth organization like the BSA still employs civil-rights denying practices on our sons and brothers.
The official policy states “While the BSA does not proactively inquire about the sexual orientation of employees, volunteers, or members, we do not grant membership to individuals who are open or avowed homosexuals or who engage in behavior that would become a distraction to the mission of the BSA.” And they act on it, too, by revoking the Eagle honors of scouts who later publicly declare their homosexuality, and by firing counselors and high level employees. The United States military now allows openly gay service members, a policy that has succeeded with flying, rainbow colors! According to a 115,000 person survey held prior to the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” 92% of those who thought they had served with someone who was gay said their impact was either positive or neutral. On the same day, a joint statement by 30 military scholars cited more than 20 studies, both internal and external to the military, all stating that open sexuality is not harmful to the organization. The only operational difference with the Boy Scouts is the age and safety of its members, a difference I would argue makes it all the more crucial that we allow our boys to be honest about who they are. Safety comes from acceptance within your community, not bigotry in barring others out.
If being an Eagle Scouts makes me an accessory to the bigotry of the BSA, then I will not be an Eagle Scout any longer. Today I will be returning my Eagle Scout award back to my governing council, removing it from my résumé (which has landed me every job
... keep reading on reddit ➡The following is a letter I plan to send to the Boy Scouts of America in response to their decision to reaffirm their ban on openly gay scouts and leaders. It is a work in progress.
My name is ... I have participated in scouting for over seven years and I am gay. I became a Boy Scout with Troop … in … and later received my Eagle Scout award with Troop … in ... I consider completing the requirements for Eagle one of my greatest accomplishments and feel that scouting has provided me with some of the best experiences of my life. However, recent actions by the Boy Scouts of America have caused me to give these years a lot of thought. As you know, the BSA has reaffirmed their policy of prohibiting openly gay scouts and leaders from participating in the organization. A portion of the statement released upon this decision read, “This policy reflects the beliefs and perspectives of the BSA’s members.” This is not a reflection of my beliefs or the beliefs of many of my fellow scouts.
This action has left me feeling conflicted about my allegiance to the BSA. The pride I once felt from participating in scouting is now tainted by the BSA’s decision to continue to implement a policy that discriminates against youth and adult leaders simply because of who they are. This policy sends a message to the youth of our country that their sexual orientation is wrong. In my experience, being lead to believe my sexual orientation was wrong resulted in a desire to hide it. I now realize this does not coincide with what scouting has taught me. In fact, it goes against much of the Scout Law.
A scout is trustworthy but is encouraged to lie if he happens to be gay. A scout is brave but is punished for having the courage to come out. A scout is loyal but is taught to reject and abandon those who are different. These contradictions have led me to believe that the Boy Scouts of America does not fully understand the Scout Law. It does not seem fair that millions of young gay people who demonstrate these characteristics are denied the privilege to participate in the BSA and potentially obtain scouting’s highest honor.
Scouting has provided me with structure, leadership skills and some of the most important relationships of my life. The program is a large part of what made me who I am today. Despite what scouting has done for me, I can no longer in good conscience be associated with an organization that would have expelled me if I had been open about my identity. I cannot be associated
... keep reading on reddit ➡I am 25 now. I received my Eagle Scout rank shortly before I turned 18. I am not actively involved in the BSA now but was from ages 11 to 17. I know a lot of people have preconceived notions about the Boy Scouts so here is your chance to learn what it really is all about. AMA!
EDIT: ha I just realized that I wrote Boy Scout (singular) in the title. yes I am the only one. ever.
This is the best tl;dr I could make, original reduced by 61%. (I'm a bot)
> The Boy Scouts of America announced Wednesday that girls will soon be allowed to become Cub Scouts and to earn the coveted rank of Eagle Scout, the organization's highest honor.
> A separate program for older girls will be available in 2019, BSA said, enabling them to earn the rank of Eagle Scout.
> BSA said it commissioned two nationwide surveys that showed parents not involved in scouting had high interest in getting their daughters signed up for both Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts.
> Earlier this year, the National Organization for Women urged the Boy Scouts to admit girls to the entire program, supporting the efforts of a New York teenager, Sydney Ireland, to attain the rank of Eagle Scout, as her older brother did.
> "I just want to do what the Boy Scouts do - earn the merit badges and earn the Eagle Award," she told NBC News.
> In the past, the Girl Scouts have been cool to the idea of admitting girls into the Boy Scouts, citing research which showed that many girls learn best in an all-female environment.
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... keep reading on reddit ➡)