What's your opinion on Boy Scouts of America decision to drop its ban on gay leaders?

CH (MAJ) William Beaver — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 19:38:24 -0400

On Monday, July 27, the National Executive Board of the Boy Scouts of America ratified a resolution that removes the national restriction on openly gay adult leaders and employees. Of those present and voting, 79 percent voted in favor of the resolution. The resolution was recommended for ratification by the Executive Committee earlier this month. The resolution is effective immediately.

Chartered organizations will continue to select their adult leaders and religious chartered organizations may continue to use religious beliefs as criteria for selecting adult leaders, including matters of sexuality. This change allows Scouting’s members and parents to select local units, chartered to organizations with similar beliefs, that best meet the needs of their families. This change also respects the right of religious chartered organizations to choose adult volunteer leaders whose beliefs are consistent with their own.

Moving forward, we will continue to focus on reaching and serving youth, helping them grow into good, strong citizens. By focusing on the goals that unite us, we are able to accomplish incredible things for young people and the communities we serve.

Also, today the Boy Scouts of America shared this video of National President Dr. Robert M. Gates speaking on the policy change.

What is your opinion on this landmark decision?

Response by MAJ Keira Brennan made Jul 27 at 2015 7:48 PM

MAJ Keira Brennan — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 19:48:59 -0400

FINALLY... FINALLY I can be involved with my Webelos life - my partner has been active but I have not because of the preposterous bigoted policy.

Response by SGM Matthew Quick made Jul 27 at 2015 7:54 PM

SGM Matthew Quick — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 19:54:37 -0400

It's in line with what society has gone too...acceptance.

Response by PFC Ray C. Scheesley made Jul 27 at 2015 8:26 PM

PFC Ray C. Scheesley — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 20:26:36 -0400

All this decision has done is open the Chartered Organizations to lawsuits from any side. By letting the Chartered Orgs. have the final decision of who can and cannot be leaders, the BSA now can protect themselves from these lawsuits, public scrutiny and stay neutral to the debate.

Response by LTC John Shaw made Jul 27 at 2015 9:08 PM

LTC John Shaw — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 21:08:15 -0400

As an Assistant Scout Master, I believe the decision by the National Board is the right decision. The local units will choose adult leadership and at a national level the issue of sexual orientation is not an discriminating barrier.
I know many local units will be challenged as their particular faith background does not support this stance.
I am an Eagle Scout and my youngest son is First Class working toward Star. I want my son to grow up in a pluralistic society and to judge people by their actions and statements, not because of their particular orientation.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 29 at 2015 3:17 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 29 Jul 2015 15:17:02 -0400

We've had this discussion around the campfire (Assistant Scoutmaster, one of the installation's troops) with the other adult leaders while the scouts were off at their activities. As long as the adults remember that they are there to help the boys, I don't see any problem. If you volunteer as a scouter for the boy scouts, you're focus is to help the scouts develop not advance your own personal agenda.

Response by Capt Mark Strobl made Jul 30 at 2015 12:46 AM

Capt Mark Strobl — Thu, 30 Jul 2015 00:46:34 -0400

I am a Patrol Leader. My job is to design & execute a curriculum for my Webelos that is fun, enriching, and safe. Along the way, we prepare these young men for advancement into Boy Scouts. Period.

Response by SSG Todd Halverson made Oct 31 at 2015 2:31 PM

SSG Todd Halverson — Sat, 31 Oct 2015 14:31:08 -0400

Yes there is. It helps you become a better leader. By helping the younger generation you are learning to be more patient with your younger Soldiers. Plus it helps in keeping you grounded and not always in the Military mind set.

Response by CMSgt Richard B. made Nov 4 at 2015 1:37 PM

CMSgt Richard B. — Wed, 04 Nov 2015 13:37:25 -0500

This was a smiliar isssue/concern back in the early 1980's when th BSA was being continuously sued to let women become Scoutmasters (at that time women could not be Scoutmasters. Assistant Scoutmasters, Webelos Den Leaders or Assistant Webelos Den Leaders). The BSA removed the restriction and left the decision up to each organization that chartered units to determine the best leadership. I think that this case is similar in that respect and that each sponsor should be allowed to choose leaders for their units.

Response by TSgt Kenneth Ellis made Nov 4 at 2015 1:49 PM

TSgt Kenneth Ellis — Wed, 04 Nov 2015 13:49:15 -0500

They bowed to political pressure. They could have made this decision years ago. Homosexuality had been classified as a mental disorder . That has changed. It is not considers a mental disorder. The Boy Scouts could have brought it up and voted on. Why all the hoopla.