Lesbian mom Jennifer Tyrrell delivered a petition to Boy Scouts of America (BSA) Wednesday, containing 300,000 electronic signatures in support of the group changing its approach toward the gay community. On Tuesday, BSA reaffirmed its policy of disallowing membership to “open or avowed homosexuals.”
Ms. Tyrrell had been the den leader of the Tiger Cub Den, the Bridgeport, Ohio Cub Scout den that her 7-year-old son Cruz had been a part of, before she was asked to step down due to her sexual orientation. She then organized an electronic petition through Change.org to protest BSA’s decision to not allow gay members or den leaders.
Despite the “tens of thousands of comments” from scouts and former scouts, BSA stuck to its “no gay members allowed” policy. A statement released to the public on the decision states:
The committee's work and conclusion is that this policy reflects the beliefs and perspectives of the BSA's members, thereby allowing Scouting to remain focused on its mission and the work it is doing to serve more youth.
Good for the BSA for standing up for the majority of its members and not kowtowing to social pressure. The Boy Scouts are a private group, and they don't have to allow homosexuals. They don't allow women either (except as cub scout den leaders for the under 12 set), but no one is complaining about that.
I'm sorry that Ms. Tyrrell didn't get to fulfill her dream of becoming a den mother, but no one gets everything they want. She decided to have a child as a lesbian, which has its pros and cons. On the one hand, she's not allowed to lead her son's den (by the way, I didn't see anything about excluding the children of gay couples), but on the other hand mommies are awesome and Cruz has two!
The majority of Boy Scouts have said that they are not comfortable allowing homosexuals into their ranks. Here's the beauty of the free market -- if this is really something that so many scouts feel strongly about, they'll leave and find other places to do good deeds. Enough people leave, BSA may have to reexamine its policy. Until then, leave them in peace.
What do you think? Should the Boy Scouts of America be forced to accept homosexuals as members?
Image via stevendepolo/Flickr
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Comments 74
The blatant discrimination by the BSA sickens me, but you're right. They're a private organization, free to do as they wish. My son will never be a boy scout, free market at work, indeed!
I agree with the other posters so far. I would never want to be part of an organization that so blatantly discriminates based solely on sexual orientation, but it is BSAs right to do so, and I applaud them for standing up for their convictions, regardless of whether or not they mesh with my own.
I remember the day I chose to have children as a straight woman!! Don't you?? I was like.. you know.. I could have children as a lesbian and have all these people deny me regular everyday things. OR I could have them as a straight women and be treated like everyone else! Sheesh. That decision day sure was a tough one.....
What a crock of shit.
Jenny, I have to correct you on one point, and I apologize if it throws fire your way. But I know you like to be accurate... this statement:
"They don't allow women either (except as cub scout den leaders for the under 12 set)"
Is incorrect.
Women are allowed to serve in any leadership position within the BSA, both volunteer and professional. I have held many positions within the organization, including my present position of Cubmaster. In Cub Scouts (the 11 and under set) I've been Assistant Cubmaster, Den Leader, and Tiger Leader. In Boy Scouts (ages 11-18), I've been a Committee Member and Assistant Scoutmaster. I've even known lady Scoutmasters. Finally, I spent a few years actually working for the BSA as a District Executive - the only paid position of the bunch.
Like many mothers, I would prefer my son to have the influence of men within the organization, but I also feel that it is good for them to see women doing "manly" things - camping, etc - because so many people still have the "girls hate bugs" impression that makes us look helpless in the wild. And I've taught plenty of outdoorsy things to my male counterparts!