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

just because I dont agree with everything the U.S. government does, doesnt make me want to renounce my citizenship.

maybe change can come from within the organization

Answer 2

I'm gay.

Take the honor. You worked hard for it. Being an eagle scout will help you in the future.

Many Homosexuals join the military where it is don't ask don't tell. Many of them advance to high ranks. Many homosexuals are most likely eagle scouts and they will never let on.

Why should you not reap the benefits of something you have worked hard for? Why do you need to be a martyr?

If you truly believe that homosexuals should receive equal rights, then work with in the organization to change the policy. I'd also contact your legislators and let then know how you feel. Support a charity that is trying to get gay marriage passed or maybe your nearest gay/lesbian community center.

Thank you for your kind thoughts.

Answer 3

I'm a bi girl and I think you should do whatever you feel is right. I have heard about the Boy Scouts not letting anyone openly gay into the group which is mean and ignorant. I do not support that group because of that. However it is your choice to make. You could take a stand and not accept the Eagle Scout rank or you could accept it and try to change minds inside the scouts so that everyone is treated equally. Equal rights are important and should be something you fight for, but which way you do that is up to you.

And thank you for posting such a thoughtful question. It's nice to know someone thinks about the rights of a group they are not even a part of yet they still care about. Thank you.

Oh and please ignore the gay-bashers. The Bible doesn't say anything bad about homosexuals. You can read about that if you want to in "A Letter to Louise" if you want to. God is love.

PS - If you want more opinions from the GLBTQ (gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans, questioning) community then you can post your question in that area also, it's under culture groups. I only found your question because someone gave a heads up about it there.

Answer 4

I'm not gay.

That's a really tough question. Attaining the rank of Eagle Scout is quite a big deal, and you've worked hard for it. It will actually improve your chances for success in many ways to have achieved it. Your refusing it will probably not have much of an effect on the organization, either.

On the other hand, the poster above is right, you should stand up for what you believe in. That's one of the important things one would hope that Scouting teaches young men.

No one can answer this for you, I'm afraid. One thing that did cross my mind is that any public objections to the Boy Scouts' policy will carry more weight coming from an Eagle Scout than from someone who is not. But publicly refusing the honor is also a powerful statement.

Either way, I am proud of you, and wish you all the best. Whatever choice you make, Scouting probably helped make you someone who knows he must make a choice, so it's worth trying to make it a better organization, however you choose to do it. That is, unfortunately, one of the things you must consider, how much more of an impact you can have from inside the organization, and how many more boys' lives you can affect. Sheesh, I'm 53, and I don't believe I've ever had to make such a hard decision!

Answer 5

Yes, you should accept Eagle Scout on Sunday and be proud of your accomplishments. I am gay, and was in the scouts when I was younger (I'm not the outdoorsy type, though, so I didn't last long lol). The thing is, the Scouts are a private organization and they are allowed to make whatever rules they want. Whether we agree with them are another story, but don't let the politics involved get in the way of taking pride of all you've done, which is something to be very proud of. Congratulations and let us know how the ceremony went. You have my blessing.

Answer 6

This is a big decision, and I am certainly not going to tell you to give up your place in an organization that has done a lot of good. Yes, they have a narrow vision where the glbt community is involved.....but my brother was an eagle scout, west point graduate and now a white house fellow...and he supports his lesbian sister.

In life you're going to come across situations that will make you question your belief system and values. That is what is happening here. If you can say that 98% of you still supports the boy scouts, then go for it! (even if the number is lower....) The fact remains that you can work for change within the organization. Sometiems slow and steady does win the race. With your open minded attitude and wonderful heart, I just know you will do everything you can to make your life, and the lives of those around you, free of hatred, prejudice and intolerance.

Think long and hard about this. No one can make this decision for you, and no one should.

Answer 7

Im not gay. I will have to state though that I believe gays should have equal rights, but there is no such thing as a right to marriage. I don't think i remember in history class when the state talked to God about having our marriage licenses valid.

I would say take the Eagle Scout you probably have worked hard (my friends in the Boy Scouts) and it looks good for college. What it comes done to is The Boy Scouts have the right to not let people in their organization. For Example if you were running an organization and you didn't want somebody in it you can tell him to leave the organization.

Answer 8

I'm Bi.

I'd say accept the award for all that you've achieved. The mere fact that you've thought about equality for all - and have considered renouncing this rank - is enough to tell me that you've got good sense. That the organisation (founded by the tormented homosexual that was Lord Baden-Powell) should be tied to rules which were written down at the start of the 20th Century (and so adhere to morals from that time) is unfortunate and, debatably, wrong.

However, your affiliation to this organisation is not the issue here, it is the organisation itself which has issues.

Who knows, if you progress far enough up the ranks you could be the one to resolve the issues; which you are considering addressing, here and now.

Enjoy your day on Sunday: be proud of what you have achieved; be humble in your acceptance and strive to be prepared for whatever the future brings.

Well Done!

Answer 9

Stand up for what you believe in and fight for it always. I think it is so great you have the courage to do this and I think that is what truly makes an eagle scout worthy of the title. I was a scout and I am bisexual I never knew it as a problem because this was decades ago. If I had known how things would go I might have been uncomfortable being there.
You are a great scout and I wish you luck.
I think I would take the title and after I was out of the scouts I would use it as a sounding board that this is what a true eagle scout feels about things. But that is just me. You do what your conscience tell you to do.

Answer 10

interesting choice to place this question in gay and legal . I stand by the answer posted in the gay are of this forum . Your thoughtfulness is an indication of your privilege and honor to wear the Eagle Scout award . Your open mindedness would make Lord Powell proud . The people in this area should read the replies in the gay area . I would be honored to welcome you to the Eagle Scout ranks . Hint This would be a great paper in a college arena .. Good Luck !!

Answer 11

I'm a lesbian. I believe you should stand up for what you believe in first and foremost and if the Scouts don't like it then just tough. But you also need to think if it really is going to have an impact. By aware that by stepping out of the Scouts you might be called gay and lose your friends.