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"So now, a new campaign begins"
(From Zach Wahl's article in the Des Moines Register) "While the Boy Scouts of America's new policy is not perfect - we continue to believe that the BSA should embrace a full non-discrimination policy - it is certainly progress. Those of us at Scouts for Equality want to collaborate with the organization we love, to see it improve even further. We will work to bring back into the Scouting fold the progressive faith groups, public schools and civic organizations that left the Scouting family because of the ban. We will ensure the BSA has access to the best anti-bullying programs available. Changing a homophobic policy is a crucial start, and we want to ensure that the homophobic culture of the organization changes with it." Zach is Executive Director of Scouts for Equality (and future President of the United States). Read Full Article here:
Step 1: Making the Boy Scouts more accessible to LGBT families:
No one should have to call around to find a unit that will accept them. What we need is a nationwide registry of inclusive units. So we're making one... Please pass this link along to any units that might be interested in registering.
Step 2: Support Councils that are serious about welcoming the LGBT community:
Check the inclusive council index to see where your council stands. (Although the index still needs to be updated to include the Marin Council, which should have a score somewhere between 50 and 70.) Encourage and support companies and organizations that support these councils. Perhaps ask your employer if they will start matching contributions. If a letter from us will help - we can do that.
Step 3: Support troops that want to be inclusive:
Provide additional information for inclusive troops to use to supplement the official Boy Scout materials. For example, it's clear that Merit Badge pamphlets aren't going to become more LGBT inclusive anytime soon, since they will need to be useable by all troops. We will need to provide alternate information that adult merit badge counselors can use to support LGBT kids. (All kids need role models.) If you've visited the Golden Gate chapter's Facebook page you know about our LGBT Stamp collecting Merit Badge program. I've compiled these into two really rough drafts, I need help editing and expanding them. Other ideas? Other Materials, Other resources? Pass them along.
Step 4: Support gay scouts:
We should stop assuming everyone is straight. It's not true, some kids are going to grow up to be gay even if they don't know it yet. Inclusive packs and troops need to let these kids and their peers know that it's OK to be gay. One way to communicate this is by wearing the Inclusive Scouting Knot on your uniform. (I can get you as many as you need.) I know some adult leaders who won't wear it because it's against the BSA uniform rules, but so are adult patrol patches, and those seem pretty common. But if it makes you more comfortable you can also incorporate it into a neckerchief slide or a temporary patch. Personally I'm more of a scofflaw, so I'll pull out my favorite Washington Post quote as justification: "When local Boy Scout leaders decided the best message they could send to young people was not about following a national rule, but taking a stand for their beliefs, they exemplified what leadership in their organization ultimately looks like" Washington Post - On Leadership - July 14, 2015
It doesn't really matter how or where you wear it as long as the kids who are gay or perceived as gay know you've got their back.
Step 5: Develop Adult training:
Every scout deserves a trained leader. We need to develop and provide training to adult scouters to support LGBT youth. This needs to include bullying prevention and intervention training. We need people to help develop programs and deliver training. Let me know if you are interested.
But, Every silver lining has a cloud:
Currently the leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS, Mormons) are considering withdrawing from the BSA. This is very sad because I know a lot of Mormon Scouters from activities and training classes and they make major contributions to the program. I really hope that the LDS church decides to allow them stay in scouting.
WARNING! - Action Required
OK, so there is a lot to do. We need people to help our local chapter. We'd like to have liaisons with all of the Districts in all of the local Councils. A person who can tell people about our programs and let us know how they are received. It's way less than an hour a week (really!) Let me know if you'd like help. Thank you for all of your support.
Yours in Inclusive Scouting,
Wendell Baker SFE- Golden Gate
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