I was a gay and a Boy Scout. I was confronted at a Boy Scout camp for gay activities, but not ejected from Scouting! So when did BSA start this ban? And why? What are they afraid of?

I found nothing in my journey to Eagle and Order of the Arrow that was threatened by being gay.

Being gay is a fact of life, like skin color, ethnic background, ….

I am a gay boy scout and I understand that there are some risks involved with the part I play. Every time I go to camp I hear and see prejudice and try my hardest to stand to discreetly stand against it. I am very close to achieving the rank of eagle scout and donnot wish to jeopardize it in any way. The way I see it, I should have the opportunity to experience the joys of scouting as much as any other boy, as should every boy straight or gay. I have made some of the best friends you can imagine through scouting and feel that since I work as hard as any other scout to earn all of my badges and feel that my sexual orientation should not be a factor in the matter. I understand that there is a want for tradition to be upheld and I believe that this is important in some cases but should not be extended to instances in which any walk of life is descriminated against. I did not choose to be gay and at many times I try to deny it to mtself, but it can’t be done. I can’t make myself like women to conform to the ways of the boy scouts or to any other influence as much as a straight male cant make himself like other men. The values that I have been taught in my family life and in scouts tell me that no matter what I am I should have equal opportunity which in the case of the BSA is a hippocracy of sorts.
I’m not saying that I have been directly discriminated against. Quite contrarily I believe that if I chose to out myself to any of my friends in scouting or any of my leaders I would be thought no less of because I live the scout oath and law in every aspect of my life other than my orientation. I also know,however, that this is not the case for everyone in my situation. For instance, I was horrified to hear from my sister that the BSA intended to strip a boy that she knew of his eagle rank because he was homosexual. I did not pursue the issue and cannot confirm the validity of the matter, but the simple idea makes me shudder. To see a boy complete thrle rigorous requirements for attaining eagle and then to have his morals questioned because of the simple fact that he didn’t fit the stereotypical mold of a male role model. Anyhow, these are my thoughts on the matter as a gay scout myself. I believe that I should have the same opportunities as any other fifteen year old boy.

Hi Larry.

In my brief encounter with scouting I saw how formidable a task it was to become an Eagle. You have a tough enough time with that, no less an organization that does not agree with your orientation.

If I were you, I’d continue exactly as you are, attaining my goal. Of course I’d probably come out afterwards to rub their noses in it but that’s just me :)

I think you bring up a very good point that is often echoed by both sides of the debate: why should it matter?

The anti-gay side perceives being Out as flaunting your sexuality. But by the same token, when I make a sexual reference, am I not flaunting MY sexuality?

I personally don’t CARE what you choose to do in private with a consenting party. It’s not a topic for me, no less an item to legislate.

Keep up the good work - I hope you make your goal.

Thanks for the comment.

P.S. Maybe you can tell me why every single home redecorating show has at least one flaming homosexual. They all seem to be working from the same script, like 50’s sitcoms :)