Dear Tell All: I was a Boy Scout as a kid and had a great experience. But at the time, no one talked about the ugliness behind all those merit badges: Gay Scouts and gay Scout leaders were barred from participating.
Once I became aware of the issue, I saw Boy Scouts in a new light. And when my son was born, my wife and I agreed not to let him anywhere near the discriminatory organization.
But now that the Boy Scouts have dropped their ban on gay leaders, after dropping their ban on openly gay kids a couple years ago, I wonder if I should drop my own ban on Scouting. I learned a tremendous amount from being a Scout, and I think my son would get a lot out of it, too.
However, a bad taste lingers. In Wisconsin, Scouting is tainted by its association with Governor and Eagle Scout Scott Walker, who recently commented that he supported the ban on gays because it “protected children and advanced Scout values.” Ugh.
Can I let my son get involved in an organization that harbors such bigots?
Tenderfoot
Dear Tenderfoot: It’s obviously a personal decision, but since you asked for my opinion, I’d suggest embracing the Boy Scouts. Your letter makes clear your love for the Scouting experience and your desire to share it with your son.
Now that the organization has changed its discriminatory policy, why not show your support? It would provide positive reinforcement at a time when homophobes are denouncing the Scouts’ decision.
It’s true that a bad taste lingers, since the new policy exempts church groups that still want to discriminate. But the organization is undeniably moving in the right direction, and members of Madison’s Glacier’s Edge Council have a record of endorsing tolerance.
So sign your son up, Tenderfoot. Scouting needs as many progressive participants as it can to crowd out the regressive ones.
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