Boy Scouts' anti-gay stance pains many
I’m not gay. I have no reason to think my boys are either.
So we get to choose to stay in Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts.
But it’s maddening how difficult that choice has become.
It’s hard because I struggle to reconcile the choice Scouting is forcing on those many boys and young men in our ranks who are gay, whether they have told us or not.
Should I walk away from this?
I was 12, paddling a canoe with my troop out to an island in a Texas lake when Scouting gave me my first night sleeping under an unbroken sky of stars.
I was 15 when I carried my backpack and my growing courage into the mountains of Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico. As much as the grand experiences there I remember the evening I managed to spark and nurture a cooking fire through a rainstorm.
I remember the deep red sky that gilded our campsite as my hiking mates ate their hot dinners in the after-storm calm.
I remember the deep friendships I made, growing up together.
I was a senior patrol leader, a teenager in charge of a troop of some 30 scouts – a duty I wouldn’t have imagined for myself if Scouting hadn’t brought me there.
I am an Eagle Scout. A member of the Order of the Arrow.
Now I am a Cub Scout den leader, just returned from Webelos Camp at Camp Naish in Bonner Springs with a jovial group of parents and scouts strongly bonded in friendship.
But, taking two years to contemplate its position, Scouting has freshly reaffirmed its policy — to deny and revoke the membership of any scout or adult leader who is gay.
This policy is odious to me.
I think it is destructive. It is hateful. It feeds wrongful fear.
I think of 19-year-old Eric Jones of Kearney, Mo. – a young adult leader who grew up in Scouting. I’m sure he has his own treasured experiences, like mine, through Scouting. He was carrying on the ideals of Scouting as a summer camp counselor.
I think of the camp leader after Jones made it known that he was gay. By Jones’s account, the camp leader was pained and regretful when he kicked him out, acquiescing to Scouting’s brutal edict, knowing he was expelling a loving, dedicated scout.
I worry about boys who have not grown as self-assured as Jones, who have passed through adolescence during their scouting career aware that they were gay and hid it, feeling shameful.
Feeling the dark scorn of discrimination.
What do I do?
I could let out a cry from my small mountaintop and walk away, disassociating myself in protest.
Or I could keep my treasured friendships – and let my boys keep their friendships – and anchor myself to all the good things Scouting has meant to me as my platform to urge my fellow scouts in thoughtful consideration to try to right this wrong.
I know I’m not alone.
If Scouting will have me, I stand here as one of your members, joining my voice to the chorus.
Let’s shed these insidious fears.
Stop the pain and love each other.
To reach Joe Robertson, call 816-234-4789 or send email to jrobertson@kcstar.com
Grant Guimont
10 months, 1 week agoKay Fox - being homosexual doesn’t make one a pedophile, too. Your logic is more than tragic, it’s quite sad.
Rachel Elaine Hines
10 months, 1 week agoP.S. I have no problem with a private organization deciding they’re okay with homophobic policies, but they should lose their nonprofit status and have to pay their own way like everybody else.
George Hunsucker
Northland
10 months agoSo, if the scouts go your way then Rachel, you are fine with them being nonprofit?
Sounds like govt. control of our values, but I am not a smart lib…..
Mark Robertson
10 months agoJoe, just how does a “gay” Cub Scout or Boy Scout behave? Have we gone mad? Yes, in many cases. Those of us who believe that homosexual activity is wrong and sinful do not have to apologize to anyone. Yes, we are “judging,” something that is greatly needed in today’s world. Homosexual behavior is considered wrong and sinful by most mainline religions. Yes, I know some Protestant denominations accept and even celebrate such behavior, but then there are many thousands of Protestant denominations, and often many divisions in those. Morality in the Boy Scouts is largely Biblically based. That’s the way it is. The Boy Scouts have had the long standing policy on homosexuals based on their moral beliefs. As I recall, the last words in the Boy Scout oath are, “morally straight.” The Boy Scouts have been clear on what they deem morally straight. What our society needs is more groups boldly defining right and wrong like the Boy Scouts continue to do. Behavior is based on what one is taught is right or wrong. It can’t be based on the whims of the day, or chaos results. It can be hoped that the Boy Scouts will continue to stand strong and not bow to the pressures of political correctness, like so many other organizations unfortunately have. Eric Jones is being used by the homosexual movement. They could care less about him. He is just a vehicle for them. He actually seems to be a lost soul who needs help. There are a number of organizations and/or individuals who can help him. Joe, I can match your Boy Scout background, except for going to Philmont.(I bet that was a great experience) And I attended Camp Geiger near St. Joseph for 4 years. That is where Eric Jones was. I’m proud of the Boy Scouts and Camp Geiger for their handling of the Jones situation. We do not have to accept everything that comes down the road. If one opposes someone because of the color of their skin, that is bigotry, and is not related at all to opposing a lifestyle choice. Thank you. Mark Robertson Independence
Phil Cardarella
10 months agoMy Dad was a Life Scout, my uncle an Eagle. I lasted two meetings before nearly dying of boredom. So did my son.
But, given that the same religious traditions denounce ALL sex outside of marriage as immoral, does that mean any scouts who masturbate get kicked out? Or any who manage to have sex with a girl — Girl Scout or not? Or, is this “morally straight” stuff just a euphemism for “only straight?”
Interesting try to differentiate racism from homophobia. Problem is, Mark, just when did you and I decide to “choose” the “hetrosexual lifestyle?” I don’t remember any such process. Did you, like, check out some books from the library to compare the pros and cons of being hetro- or homosexual? Make up a list, like a good scout? Was it a close call?
Surely, for something so important, you did not just flip a coin, right?
And, Mark? FYI: Neither did Eric Jones.
Mark Robertson
10 months agoThere are organizations such as The International Healing Foundation and Courage that help those with the disorder of same-sex attraction. It is a dysfunction brought about by environmental circumstances according to The International Healing Foundation and others. And is racism then the same as opposing bigamy. Who decides? Homophobia seems to be a relatively new word, a lot newer than racism. We who support the Boy Scout stance on homosexuality are not living in fear of those who claim to be “gay.” Were the Boy Scouts being condemned for not allowing acknowledged homosexuals into the organization when it started in the early part of the last century? Obviously not. I guess, according to some, the meaning of right and wrong changes with the times.(Please don’t compare it to slavery.) And, other than rape, participating in sexual activity is a choice. And no, there has never been a perfect Boy Scout or Boy Scout leader. Thank you. Mark Robertson Independence
Rachel Elaine Hines
10 months agoMark: there is counseling available for people like you who obviously need it. Also, when did you choose to be heterosexual (since it’s a choice and all)?