By Mathew Laurrie
Features Editor
I hope the Boy Scouts of America have a bigotry badge to add to its vest of merits.
More than 1.1 million people affiliated with Boy Scouts of America (BSA) recently received a questionnaire intended to gauge their insight on allowing openly gay individuals to serve as scouts or leaders, according to a March 13 Associated Press article. The survey is filled with ‘what if’-based scenarios in an effort to generate feedback about homosexuality within the organization.
“Bob is 15 years old and the only openly gay scout in a Boy Scout troop,” begins one question. “Is it acceptable or unacceptable for the troop leader to allow Bob to tent with a heterosexual boy on an overnight camping trip?”
First of all, I question why Bob would ever want to sleep in a tent in the middle of the woods when there are probably fabulous hotels in the area where he can order room service and watch the E! network. I commend Bob for his outdoorsy nature nevertheless.
All kidding aside, this question is filled with flaws. Why is it necessary that this particular individual be defined by his sexual orientation? The BSA has no right to pass judgment on the lifestyle of another individual.
Besides the obvious bigotry underlying the mere need to even distribute this survey are the biased questions it contains, which are full of nuances and insinuations. Another question on the survey likens homosexual men to pedophiles, which is outrageously incorrect. I’m embarrassed for BSA and how completely senseless these “inquiries” are.
“A gay male troop leader, along with another adult leader, is taking a group of boys on a camping trip following the youth protection guidelines of two-deep leadership. Is it acceptable or unacceptable for the gay adult leader to take adolescent boys on an overnight camping trip?”
Who wants to learn how to start a fire by rubbing two sticks together from some homophobe anyway? I’d rather just use a match.
BSA leaders will use the responses to the questions and other collected information to supplement its decision on whether to repeal or uphold the ban on homosexuals in the organization at a meeting in May, according to the Associated Press article.
According to the Scout Law, a scout is “loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, cheerful and brave,” just to name a few qualities. I don’t see the word “homophobic” or “bigoted” as a characteristic of a scout, but apparently some BSA members are too preoccupied with their own beliefs to recognize this clause in the handbook.
Instead of wasting time and energy in this unnecessary tug-of-war, BSA should develop a program to teach men and boys who participate in the organization the value of acceptance and tolerance. It’s much more practical than learning how to climb a tree, anyway. Inform them on how to embrace diversity and develop a sense of open-mindedness.
Isn’t the BSA organization supposed to impart wisdom to young boys about how to grow up to become strong, good men? Part of growing up includes understanding that the world isn’t full of only one type of person. It’s 2013. Let’s encourage people to live their true lives.
I thank my lucky sash everyday that I never had the desire to join such an organization…I wouldn’t be welcomed anyway.
