Big change for the Boy Scouts

The Boy Scouts have long been a symbol of the youth of America, but the America that was present during their founding and the world we see today are drastically different.  One of the main issues, one that is affecting the Scouts right now, is the question of gay rights within the organization.  For the longest time, the Scouts had an official policy that those of alternate sexuality could not become scout leaders.  Many have even been fired when it was discovered that they were gay.  But now that may be changing.

The obvious question to raise is whether it will matter or not.  And the obvious answer for most of us is “Who the hell cares?”  But the truth is that many will revolt if they feel that their American tradition is being invaded by those of “perverse” lifestyles.  One of the main arguments is that gay scout leaders will end up being a safety issue, that some gay scout leaders will really be pedophiles.  This is, of course, ridiculous, since those who are straight are more likely to be pedophiles than homosexuals.  But the argument is strong and it’s even gotten to the point where churches have threatened to pull their funding of the Scouts if the organization chooses to adopt a more progressive stance.

This debate has been all over the news lately and created some heated words.  Those on both sides of the argument have become enraged and one particular individual’s viewpoint shows that those in support of an open system in the Scouts can be just as aggressive as those against it.  Attacks like this make the debate even worse and results in little in the way of progress toward an acceptable resolution.

Unfortunately, there seems to be no answer that will keep everyone happy.  If the Scouts accept gay scout leaders, they run the risk of losing their support and possibly going under financially.  If they don’t, then we’re sending a message to our children that it’s OK to consider gay people as unacceptable to be around children.  The very nature of the band is detrimental, yet people still choose to hold on to their antiquated views.

The affair will be addressed more fully next week by the Scouts’ national board, and then we’ll see what comes of it.  The current compromise looks to be letting each chapter make their own decision on the matter but removing the all-inclusive ban.

What are your thoughts on the matter?  Will the Scouts be able to handle the change without collapsing?  Should the board do the right thing and remove the ban from every chapter?

Boy Scout photo courtesy of EglAthltcsFan7 via Wikicommons