Gay Boy Scouts of America?

[peacetraveler22]

A few weeks ago I went fishing with my family in a small country town close to DC. The purpose was not to catch dinner, but to offer a day of fun for my young nephew. At the small pond we visited there were a lot of boy scouts on a day excursion. I'm sure most of you are familiar with this organization, which started in 1910. The Boys Scouts of America provides programs for young boys that help develop personal character, community involvement and physical activity through outdoor events such as camping and fishing. I'm not sure if there is a similar organization in Russia?

More recently the organization is in the news because of its prohibition on gay scouts and leaders. Just today over 1,400 local leaders convened for a two day meeting where they will vote on whether to allow openly gay boys in the scouting movement. Of course, there also is constant debate on whether the organization should permit openly gay men to be Scout Leaders. However, this is not on the ballot at the current meeting.


©Associated Press

Anyone who reads me on a regular basis can certainly guess my opinion on the issue. What do you think? Is it okay to have openly gay boy scouts and leaders? The organization is based in Irving, Texas, probably the most right-winged and conservative State in America. I doubt the ban will be lifted, but it's good food for thought.

Comments

Scouts

[(Anonymous)]

As the Mom of a scout, I have very strong feelings about this. I believe a person's sexual "preference" is something he is born with and not a "choice" at all, i.e., whether someone is gay or straight is no more a choice than the color of one's skin. Consequently, I have real problems with banning anyone from scouts (or any other organization) as a scout or a leader based on sexual preference. Would anyone ban straight women as scout leaders based on their sexual preference? No, they would not. Gay men are no different.

Re: Scouts

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Yes, there is a double standard between men and women when it comes to sex and sadly I don't see it changing anytime soon.

Re: Scouts

[olgor.livejournal.com]

There are still no proofs about "born with" (correct me if I wrong please). I rather incline to the result of phycho-sexual trauma in childhood-teenage years.