i recently made it to Eagle Scout, but i also recently started to believe homosexuals shouLd have equal rights

Question

im not gay or anything i just believe in equality, the ceremony is this Sunday, should i accept the rank from an organization that doesn't Let homosexuals in.
please state if you are a homosexual.

Answer 1

Being a part of a group or organization doesn't mean that you have to agree with all of the thoughts, feeling, or even rulings of the groups. For example, do you feel the same about everything that your friends do? Do you agree with everything they say? Probably not, but you are still friends. And there is no reason why you shouldn't be.

The United States military doesn't agree with homosexual/ bisexuality. Not only an I bisexual, but I was also a soldier in the Army for 10 years. Neither I nor the military agree with all of the various Pagan customs and cultures, but I am a lawfully ordained Pagan minister.

Do you see what I mean? So if you DO enjoy being a scout, then congratulations! Enjoy your ceremony. You've earned it.

Blessed be, and good luck.

Answer 2

I think some many have clouded the issue . I am not gay and an Eagle Scout . I was also an adult leader . I support the rights of gays . I also support the choice not to allow gays in the organization . As brief as I can I will explain . The age group of boys are very impressionable . In any thing we do there are rules . Some we like and some we dont . The rules are there to be upheld . When Lord Baden Powell set this up his plan was to prepare young boys for survival . Not be politicaly correct . These same rules prohibit Girls . So girl scouts and Explorers were created . To be fair too all . Should we create gay scouts ? God is a founding part of scouting . This is the conflict . Do not let this keep you from an award you should cherrish . Strive to change these rules . I personally agree with the no gay policy . The gay person could simply refrain from telling children about this subject as well as others . It is confusing enough for children at that age . In my opinion there is not enough facts to support the born gay belief . I dont say it is wrong . We should have the freedom to choose . with that comes responsibility . In this case if there is one child impacted in a negative manner this would show to be a good policy . Restraint in the presence of children has been washed nearly away . this includes profanity verbal and phisical abuse as well as molestation . I think we can all agree rules are needed but can be changed . My heartfelt congradulation on your award . Now go get it and build a life of good and great deeds .

Answer 3

I agree with surfer. You have worked hard right? More than likely you should just accept it. However, if it keeps nagging at you and you feel deep down in you heart that you can not accept the rank because they do not accept gays, then don't. And this is only if you do not have a problem with people thinking you are gay, which they will no doubt assume. I am a lesbian, and not only do I think it's wrong for someone to be denied membership anywhere because they are gay, but it's just plain stupid seeing as how there are probably already gays in the Eagle Scout, but no one knows because they are in the closet. Do what's in your heart,and be prepared for the outcome.

Answer 4

I'm gay and used to be a Boy Scout. I dropped Scouts like a hot potato when I reached an age where I perceived the Scouts was a Christian organization with an extra dose of militarism. It was a really difficult decision to make because I really believed in the positive aspects such as good citizenship and Samaritanism. Good citizenship and the emphasis on Christianity were a real conflict for me. To be a good citizen means, as with those who serve our country, to preserve and the protect the U.S. Constitution. I could not resolve the conflict between the Scouts' commitment to Christianity and good citizenship; participation in the Scouts requires an implied requirement to conform to Christianity, which was in conflict with the Constitution's protection of an individual's religious freedom.

Recent events in Georgia support my assertions and my decision. The Scouts have recently been cited for allegedly inflating their figures of African-American enrollment due to perceptions that the organization was racist. This propelled the Scouts from being a "Christian's only" group to "White, Christian's Only." That and the militaristic aspects of the Scouts all combined to create the stench of neo-Nazism, which I find abhorrent.

I hope that you review the responses given and do not react in the manner anyone desires you to; I hope that you react in the manner that you feel is the morally correct thing to do based upon your analysis of the information provided. Make your own moral judgments and act according.

Good luck.

Answer 5

I am not a homosexual. I agree with your opinion of the boy scouts. I find it extremely impressive that you would give up the rank you have worked so hard for because of how you feel about their policies. I would say, do whatever makes you happy. I believe that there are gay eagle scouts, something to think about. I really don't know what I think you should do though.

Answer 6

I'm a bisexual, if my input still counts.

I think that you should accept the Eagle Scout honor because you've done a f*ckload of work for it. No matter what the BSA's official line is on any issue, that work and what you learned from it is something they will never be able to take that away from you. You earned it and you should get it. As a gay person, my dislike of the organization doesn't prevent me from recognizing that individuals within that organization have done some pretty neat things and should be rewarded thusly. Take that Eagle Scout rank and be proud of yourself for achieving it.

While I understnad the temptation to walk out on an organization that sponsors oppression and caters to prejudice, I also know that if every gay person or straight ally leaves the BSA, they will never change. My cousin once told me that you make change by being out, by being who you are, and by not giving up on that to cater to anyone. Now its your time to be out; be out about your dislike of the BSA's policy on gay folks. Be out about your support of gay rights. Be out about your belief that gay people are full and equal parts of the human condition. And you'll be able to influence the BSA from the inside and you'll be proud of yourself for standing up.

But go to the ceremony and take the rank. And if anyone asks you how you feel about it, answer honestly.

Answer 7

Honey,

You worked very hard to get this. You are a very good person to even consider us.

Go to your ceremony and get your rank. I appreciate your asking, and I appreciate greatly the fact that you would consider such a sacrifice on our behalf -- but don't. Be proud, and if after you get your Eagle Scout, you want to make a request to the local council to defy the national and to accept gays -- then do it.

Again, thank you.

Jonathan (my beloved of many, many years) says that he agrees and adds -- there is no sense in disappointing your family, he was an atheist from 7 on but was bar mitvahed because it meant something to his parents -- who never knew he didn't believe in god [he since has become Wiccan] until their deaths.

He also says that if you really and truly want to make an impact, accept it -- he says they won't care if you turn it down -- he says accept it -- and if you get to say a few words say that you accept the award on behalf of your gay "brothers" who cannot join due to the policies of the organization. He believes that will do more to effect things than turning down the award and rank ever would.

My beloved was always an activist (not a gay activist, more a general puspose activist for equality for everyone).

We are (obviously) queer as three dollar bills here.

Again, thank you for thinking of us, be at peace and enjoy a wonderful life.

Kind thoughts,

Reyn
[e-mail]

Answer 8

I'm a gay man who attained the rank of Eagle Scout over 40 years ago. Every time I come across that badge in my dresser drawer, I'm tempted to take it out and mail it back to the Boy Scouts of America. But you know, that would be an insult to the leaders I had as a scout, who were not haters, and to my fellow scouts. Besides, I worked hard to earn that rank. Some parts of it were far from easy for me. I am ashamed that the Boy Scouts of America are run today by some right-wing bigots. But I'm proud to be an Eagle Scout.

Accept your badge, and wear it with honor. Your sense of social justice tells me that you deserve the honor!

Answer 9

i'm homosexual. Take the respect. You worked confusing for it. Being an eagle scout can help you you contained in the destiny. Many Homosexuals connect the military the position it truly is do not ask do not tell. a lot of them boost to intense ranks. Many homosexuals are likely eagle scouts and they are going to under no circumstances let on. Why do you should no longer take advantage of something you've worked confusing for? Why do you want to be a martyr? in case you extremely believe that homosexuals could receive equivalent rights, then artwork with contained in the corporation to modify the coverage. i could also contact your legislators and let then recognize the way you sense. help a charity that is making an attempt to get homosexual marriage handed or per chance your nearest homosexual/lesbian community middle. thanks on your style recommendations.

Answer 10

I am not a homosexual. Eventually the organization will change around when the military does. Just accept the ceremony. You worked hard for it, you deserve it. You will probably have no effect on the change to equality. It will happen and should. But people will think you're gay. Now if you really feel strongly about this and are comfortable with people thinking you're gay, then protest it.