http://news.yahoo.com/u-boy-scouts-set-end-ban-gay-members-150711650.html
This makes me so happy! I hope they actually do it. I was involved in Scouting for most of my life and I would love for my kids to be involved too.
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Its long overdue, but I'm happy they are going to make that change.
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CNN says the ban will be lifted on gay youths but not gay leaders. It's a tiny step better but I'm still annoyed that they won't allow gay leaders.
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It's sad that this has even been an issue.
Our eldest is in Cubs and although he's made no claim to it, we have our suspicions that he might be gay. He enjoys scouts SO much and I would be LIVID if he weren't allowed to participate because of something like this.
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It's definitely progress but it pisses me off that they are not lifting the ban for adults. They're just perpetuating the disgusting stereotype that gay people are pedophiles or somehow deviant and shouldn't be around children, and that makes me angry.
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The ban lifting needs to extend to leaders too.
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Step in the right direction, even if it should be a non issue. My husband is very involved in the scouts as a eagle scout himself and now a troop leader. The BSA leaders should be more concerned about the health and maintenance of its troop than who makes them up. Hubs troop is one of the oldest in our area and is on the verge or collapse or merging they have a lot of trouble obtaining and retaining members.
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It's progress! Even though I think it's insane that in 2013 this is an issue, I'm glad they are moving forward. It's extremely disappointing that they aren't extending it to the leaders though. I completely agree with @MrsSCB: that it perpetuates harmful stereotypes of gays = pedophiles.
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@bluestriped bee: this.
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It is progress. I agree that it's nuts that it's even an issue. I still don't think I'd involve my son until the organization as a whole was much more inclusive.... and after visiting and talking with our local branch to make sure they were practicing along similar lines.
ETA: with all of the issues facing kids today that technology and the media bring... how could one's sexuality possibly be "among the most complex and challenging issues facing the BSA and society today." I hope once LO is old enough to notice is is a complete non-issue like it should be!
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@scg00387: Completely agree. It's only an issue because adults (not the kids!) are making it an issue. The poor kids have way more important things to deal with these days.
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@scg00387: THAT's their biggest issue? I've heard reports of leaders (STRAIGHT ones) being indecent with scouts in the past. I can't believe that this could possibly be bigger than that. They're crazy!
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It's progress, but I'm hoping they lift the ban on leaders before my son's old enough to participate. I wouldn't feel right about it otherwise.
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It's progress, although not as far as I would like.
Another huge issue for me is that the Scouts have historically prioritized protecting their rep over protecting the kids entrusted to their organization. Until that changes dramatically (along with their policies towards scout leaders), I wouldn't feel comfortable trusting them with our kids!
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@mrbee: That's true. They had files on pedophile leaders for years and didn't do anything about them. There were several in our area at one point or another.
Did anyone else see the episode of the New Normal where David got kicked out as a scout leader? It was so sad - and it was a sitcom, not real life.
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@Dandelion: no kidding
@mrbee so true. That trumps any other concerns... So very disturbing.
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@mrbee: Agreed...DS's dad grew up in boy scouts, and his family is definitely gung ho towards it, but me and my DH don't think it has proven to be a safe place for my kid. So, he probably won't be in it...we'll choose other activities for him to participate in.
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I can't believe this was even a ban.
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17 comments