SFE-Golden Gate Philmont 
Scout Parents and Leaders against discrimination.
 

As the roller coaster comes to a stop the safety bar pops up and I stagger off.

 

The station looks like a nice place to rest and let my stomach settle (maybe throw up?  cry?). It's not the final destination by any means, but it's closer than we've ever been before. It's a much nicer station then I expected. I promise the roller coaster won't leave without us (it is after all my metaphor).

 

As you've hopefully heard the Boy Scouts voted to admit gay youth (61% of the votes were for the resolution). This is indeed something to celebrate. It won't take effect until Jan 1, 2014  but I can't imagine that they will expel a gay youth between now and then.

 

So what do we do now? I have a suggestion:

 

I read in the Contra Costa Times that a soon to be ex-Scoutmaster in Walnut Creek, who is very much on the other side of this issue, said he didn't sign up to become a sex councilor. I shudder at the thought of him in such a roll, but then again I'm a Scoutmaster and I'm certainly not qualified. I don't know any Scoutmasters who are. Perhaps some resources would help. The Scouts UK have had gay scouts (and leaders) for quite some time and use these documents to give advice.

 

Supporting a young person who is gay and in scouting 

 

Its OK to be gay and a scout

 

Being gay with an adult role in scouting

 

 

I think these documents are great resource, but obviously all of the links are irrelevant here. The United States is so large that any such document would have to have a regional component. Perhaps we should prepare lists of supporting organizations for our Northern California scouts? We certainly have access to the LGBT community. Let me know if you'd like to help with this, or have any other suggestions.

 

Warning: self promotion ahead!

 

So where were you when you heard the news? I pictured myself at my desk and learning the results from a Scouting for Equality Facebook page. Maybe you can also picture this. (I mean me at my desk, not you at yours). That's not surprising, since you could have seen it on the early news on channel 2, or channel 3, or channel 7. If you missed my 15 minutes of fame I have kindly provided links below.

 

It was very strange finding out the news with three TV cameras aimed at me. I've never even been interviewed before, and I'm sure the neighbors were talking about the three TV trucks on the street. (One neighbor in particular called me up to complain.) To say Thursday was noteworthy would be an understatement. My son was also interviewed by all three stations. My son was also quoted in the article on the front page of the San Francisco Chronicle, and there we both are on page A11. I'm very proud of my son, but what dad wouldn't be?

 

NBC Bay Area News Report

 

KTVU-2 News Coverage

 

KGO-7 News Report

 

SF Gate - Chronicle news report 

 

Just when you think you're safe:

 

If you haven't made your FOS donation to the Mount Diablo Silverado council yet, its time. The council did what was right, and one of the reasons we're at this station and not another one is because of their actions. They need our support.

 

And make no mistake, I'm going to get back on the roller coaster until full equality is established. Just not today, but soon, really soon. I promise.

 

Yours in Scouting,

 

Wendell Baker

Scoutmaster

Moraga Troop 234

 

(SFE-Golden Gate) 

 

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The opinions expressed are those of the individual and do not necessarily represent the opinions of their unit, the local council, or the national headquarters.