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

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Thanks for your thoughts. "I'm equally tolerant to all of the above and equally dislike if they shout about it too loud." I agree gays should not have special rights, only equal ones. However, sometimes it takes some shouting and protest for change to happen.

With freedoms there's always the problem of where to draw the line, but the exclusion of people who aren't engaging in illegal activity is never acceptable. In your nudist example, both people can enjoy the park but the nudist will be required to wear clothes to comply with U.S. laws against indecent exposure. Or, go to a nudist camp where he can walk around nude in a grassy area with no objection. There's actually a nudist resort right in my home State of Virginia - http://www.whitetailresort.org/. Maybe I should go there and make a report! :) But all cases are not so clear and this is the dilemma.