Promoting equality is not their priority.
The Boy Scouts Committee are not all to blame here. Many of the scout’s parents were sent a very biased questionnaire to help them decide this issue. It was filled with questions like: “Would you allow your son to sleep in a tent with a gay man?”
I mean really! I wouldn’t allow my child to sleep alone with ANY adult– thank you! However, I felt the parents should’ve looked above those ridiculous, bating questions, and voted for full equality. Unfortunately, the parents did not, and simply drew the line by voting to accept ONLY the gay children and continue the ban on gay leaders.
Aside from being against their Christian ‘morals’–much of this was brought about because many are still ignorant to the American Academy of Pediatrics finding that homosexuality has absolutely nothing to do with pedophilia–but all to do with an adults attraction to a child.
I should know because I was molested when I was 6, and it disgusted me to think of anyone hurting my children in that way–so I did extensive research in this area to protect them. I learned that the average pedophile looks like the guy next door, clean cut, in a heterosexual marriage with children and often involved with the community and church groups–yes, your average Joe.
And 95% of them, the child (and parents) trust and know very well–and being gay is not a factor.The Boy Scouts of America were in deep trouble for covering up thousands of molestation cases over several decades that they had listed under the “Perversion Files.”
So it seems they are using gays as scapegoats to appease the parents into thinking their child is now safe by NOT having gays as leaders–which is not only reprehensible–but down right incorrect and dangerous. It is worth mentioning that the BOY SCOUTS also have a 2-adult policy when they’re alone with a child at all times–yet, they STILL refuse gays in leadership positions.
They are in direct violation of the Human Rights, Anti-Bullying laws that New York State and the US already have in place. They get away with it because they are considered a ‘volunteer’ organization. The Boy Scouts also contradict their own Oaths– including honor, brotherhood and integrity. In fact, the LGBT community is the ONLY group they discriminate against.
This policy is a real shame since Boy Scouts do many admirable things in our community, and I hate to see all its dedicated members and leaders–both gay and straight– hurt and dishonored by this. They should learn from the children, who inherently possess the wonderful, innocent quality of wanting to accept ANYONE that treats them well.
There should be a medal above their highest ‘Eagle Scout’ Honor called the ‘EQUALITY SCOUT’ Honor– awarded to ANY child or adult who has the COURAGE to stand up for the ACCEPTANCE AND EQUALITY FOR ALL PEOPLE! The Scouts should be focusing more on toasting marshmallows, laughing and sharing fun stories around a campfire–than focusing on excluding their fellow brothers and sisters for having the courage and integrity to HONOR THEMSELVES for who they are. Now that’s a TRUE Scouts Honor!