Prepared To Be Brave
Growing from a boy to man occured at the same that I grew from a Bobcat to an Eagle Scout. And thus, Scouting has always been a significant portion of my being, whether that’s through active membership, lifelong friendships, or most importantly, the principles and ideals that guide me through life. Scouting isn’t just an activity that I participated in for over 10 years; it’s an essential experience, a code, a brotherhood and a journey in self-discovery. It’s a part of who I am, just as my sexuality is. All in all, I’m an Eagle Scout who just happens to be gay.
When I came out to my mother, her tears of sorrow in an odd way reminded me of my Eagle Scout Court of Honor, which still remains as one of the best days in my life. I can vividly recall her reciting “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost with tears streaming down her face. Her pride and joy were communicated through the final words of the poem:
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
Many people don’t realize that gay youth have to traverse this path, oftentimes alone, in search of their true identity. With that thought, it’s easy to see that this is a lifelong journey. So I’ve joined Scouting For All to continue my journey along the road less traveled, by advocating for the removal of the BSA’s hateful and discriminatory policies.
Living in America, one of the only countries where gay people are still barred from Scouting, has been beyond frustrating. It angers me when the BSA national leadership claims that a responsible, gay adult cannot serve as a positive role model. It enrages me that gay youth are still bullied, ridiculed and physically harmed on a daily basis. And it saddens me to think that these same youth are denied the wonderful opportunities that Scouting could bring to their lives. The blatant inequality must stop.
My experiences as a Boy Scout will always have a fond place in my heart. When I look back, I smile at the memories of building pinewood derby cars with my father, backpacking in the Smoky Mountains, the camaraderie with fellow scouts, serving on the staff of summer camp and too many other memories to name. I’ll be forever grateful for what Scouting has brought into my life, thus I have great compassion for those that are unjustly denied the satisfaction of participating in an organization that would introduce such rewarding experiences.
Scouting has given me so much by instilling in me the characteristics to lead a successful life, and by opening many doors in my career. Without any doubt, the arduous passage to becoming an Eagle Scout shaped me into the person that I am today. Eagle Scouts have served our country in the military, as politicians and through many other honorable careers because of their experiences as Boy Scouts. It really pains me that simply because I’m gay, I can’t spread wisdom and knowledge to young men whose footsteps I was in not so long ago. I would like to serve as a positive role model and leader for Scouting, but the national leadership stands in my way.
The tenth point of the Scout Law states “A Scout is brave,” which signifies the call to stand for what you think is right even when faced with ridicule or threats. I believe that this is the most difficult point to follow, which makes it the most important. Standing by your principles takes great courage as well as bravery, and thus, it’s a shame that so many Scouts, including heterosexuals and those with theistic beliefs, have been expelled from the brotherhood of Boy Scouts simply because they stand for inclusion rather than discrimination. The valor they show symbolizes the true meaning of Scouting.
I loved the way the Order of the Arrow incorporated Native American culture into its mission and purpose, so I find it appalling that the Boy Scouts puts such a strong focus on diversity while leaving out those who aren’t heterosexual. I strongly urge the BSA national leadership to personally complete the American Cultures merit badge, so they realize that there really aren’t any differences between heterosexuals and homosexuals. It’s critical for them to understand the plight of gay Americans throughout our history. Furthermore, they should be required to read our nation’s most sacred documents, the Declaration of Independence, Constitution and Bill of Rights, which are an important part of the Citizenship in the Nation badge. In these texts, they will find the true spirit of our country, where all people are included in the “melting pot” that we call the United States of America.
When the BSA prohibits the inclusion of gay or atheist individuals, it turns its back on thousands of scouts and leaders who conscientiously live by the Scout Oath and Law in their lives, despite their sexual orientation or religious beliefs. It’s a shame that the BSA national leadership is so blinded by its own ignorance, that it can’t see one simple fact: an inclusive organization is a stronger organization.
Despite all of this, I’m confident that the BSA’s discriminatory policies will eventually come to an end, which will begin a new era in its history where all people are included—creating not only a stronger organization, but a stronger society as well. We must relentlessly continue with inclusiveness as our goal by using our minds and our hearts as guides in our quest. I believe in Scouting For All, so I’m prepared to be brave.
When I came out to my mother, her tears of sorrow in an odd way reminded me of my Eagle Scout Court of Honor, which still remains as one of the best days in my life. I can vividly recall her reciting “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost with tears streaming down her face. Her pride and joy were communicated through the final words of the poem:
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
Many people don’t realize that gay youth have to traverse this path, oftentimes alone, in search of their true identity. With that thought, it’s easy to see that this is a lifelong journey. So I’ve joined Scouting For All to continue my journey along the road less traveled, by advocating for the removal of the BSA’s hateful and discriminatory policies.
Living in America, one of the only countries where gay people are still barred from Scouting, has been beyond frustrating. It angers me when the BSA national leadership claims that a responsible, gay adult cannot serve as a positive role model. It enrages me that gay youth are still bullied, ridiculed and physically harmed on a daily basis. And it saddens me to think that these same youth are denied the wonderful opportunities that Scouting could bring to their lives. The blatant inequality must stop.
My experiences as a Boy Scout will always have a fond place in my heart. When I look back, I smile at the memories of building pinewood derby cars with my father, backpacking in the Smoky Mountains, the camaraderie with fellow scouts, serving on the staff of summer camp and too many other memories to name. I’ll be forever grateful for what Scouting has brought into my life, thus I have great compassion for those that are unjustly denied the satisfaction of participating in an organization that would introduce such rewarding experiences.
Scouting has given me so much by instilling in me the characteristics to lead a successful life, and by opening many doors in my career. Without any doubt, the arduous passage to becoming an Eagle Scout shaped me into the person that I am today. Eagle Scouts have served our country in the military, as politicians and through many other honorable careers because of their experiences as Boy Scouts. It really pains me that simply because I’m gay, I can’t spread wisdom and knowledge to young men whose footsteps I was in not so long ago. I would like to serve as a positive role model and leader for Scouting, but the national leadership stands in my way.
The tenth point of the Scout Law states “A Scout is brave,” which signifies the call to stand for what you think is right even when faced with ridicule or threats. I believe that this is the most difficult point to follow, which makes it the most important. Standing by your principles takes great courage as well as bravery, and thus, it’s a shame that so many Scouts, including heterosexuals and those with theistic beliefs, have been expelled from the brotherhood of Boy Scouts simply because they stand for inclusion rather than discrimination. The valor they show symbolizes the true meaning of Scouting.
I loved the way the Order of the Arrow incorporated Native American culture into its mission and purpose, so I find it appalling that the Boy Scouts puts such a strong focus on diversity while leaving out those who aren’t heterosexual. I strongly urge the BSA national leadership to personally complete the American Cultures merit badge, so they realize that there really aren’t any differences between heterosexuals and homosexuals. It’s critical for them to understand the plight of gay Americans throughout our history. Furthermore, they should be required to read our nation’s most sacred documents, the Declaration of Independence, Constitution and Bill of Rights, which are an important part of the Citizenship in the Nation badge. In these texts, they will find the true spirit of our country, where all people are included in the “melting pot” that we call the United States of America.
When the BSA prohibits the inclusion of gay or atheist individuals, it turns its back on thousands of scouts and leaders who conscientiously live by the Scout Oath and Law in their lives, despite their sexual orientation or religious beliefs. It’s a shame that the BSA national leadership is so blinded by its own ignorance, that it can’t see one simple fact: an inclusive organization is a stronger organization.
Despite all of this, I’m confident that the BSA’s discriminatory policies will eventually come to an end, which will begin a new era in its history where all people are included—creating not only a stronger organization, but a stronger society as well. We must relentlessly continue with inclusiveness as our goal by using our minds and our hearts as guides in our quest. I believe in Scouting For All, so I’m prepared to be brave.
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