First, I’d like to recognize the Boy Scouts of America for finally welcoming openly gay members. It only took 103 years. **insert side eye**
“Every child deserves the opportunity to be a part of the scouting experience,” BSA public relations director Deron Smith said in an official statement. “While people have different opinions about this policy, we can all agree that kids are better off when they are in scouting.”
And while the change is definitely one in the right direction, there is still work to be done.
While the organization officially lifted its ban against openly gay members as of New Year’s Day, the ban is still in place for openly gay scout leaders who are 18 or older. Huh?
One of the “arguments” I’ve heard is that openly gay scout leaders would prey on the young boys.
For the record, people, an openly gay adult is not the same as a pedophile, or a person who has sexual feelings toward children. In fact, heterosexuals can be pedophiles, too (just watch almost any episode of Law & Order: SVU). So why is there the strict policy forbidding openly gay adult men from becoming Boy Scouts leaders?
Personally, I am all for gay rights and I would hesitate to enroll my future son in the organization until everyone is welcome. Our Pledge of Allegiance states: “one nation indivisible with liberty and justice for all.”
So, while I applaud the Boy Scouts for making progress, I hope the organization’s leaders realize they still have a long way to go.
Your Turn: What do you think of the Boy Scouts’ new policy? Let us know in the comments!
