In 1997, I was 6 years old. I raced my first pinewood derby car as a Tiger Cub. It came in last on almost every race, but I had a blast. My two best friends, Eric and Tim, and I agreed we would all become Eagle Scouts one day. In 2007, that became true for all three of us.
Last summer, the Boy Scouts held a meeting to discuss their anti-gay policy. After apparently two years of deliberation in a vaguely defined "panel," they reaffirmed their policy. The Boy Scouts would not allow gay scouts and scoutmasters. This infuriated me. And this is before the so-called "perversion files" were ordered released by the Oregon Supreme Court earlier this month.
Growing up in our troop in Kansas City, none of us knew about the Supreme Court's original decision in 2000. A decision that said the Scouts had the right to oust gay Scouts because they were a private organization. Some of our friends in the troop might have been gay, but no one cared. If anyone made us uncomfortable it was the (straight) Scout leader in our troop who had been thrown out for making strange sexual remarks. As 12-year-olds, we understood there was a difference between a gay person and a straight, perverted Scout leader. In the year 2012, the Boy Scouts leaders in Texas have yet to understand the difference.
But the stance of "no gays" goes far beyond the old misconception that homosexuality is tied to pedophilia. Yes, the Boy Scouts are a religious organization. And yes, as a private organization they have every right to do this. But just because something is lawful doesn't mean it is right.
Having been a Scout, then a leader at camp, I know exactly how bullying and bigotry perpetuate amongst young Scouts. Boys are cruel to each other, and they're also quick to take the example of a leader. If the organization their parents take them to, the organization that teaches them to be loyal, friendly, kind and courteous, says that gay boys their age are not equal - they will believe it.
I will use the Scout Oath to make my point.
On my honor, I will do my best... to explain the hypocrisy of the Boy Scouts in their reinstated ban.
To do my duty to God and my country... I will continue to advocate for equality in scouting, because it's what God would want and what my country needs.
And to obey the Scout Law... Read those other online articles and see how each individual Scout law pertains to allowing gay people in Scouts.
To help other people at all times... We should protect those gay Scouts who have become Eagle, those who are trying to, and those who may not even be able to join the Boy Scouts.
To keep myself physically strong... I might hit someone who says that "no gays in Scouts keeps the kids safe."
mentally awake... I refuse to let bigots dictate what I believe is right.
and morally straight... Make all the jokes you want. A gay person who simply wants to improve himself through Scouting is far more morally straight than a straight person who discriminates.
One might make the argument that Scouts also discriminate through their requirement that a Scout is reverent. They would say that heterosexuality is merely a requirement - nothing else.
First, I would point to Ryan Anderson, a gay Scout who was recently denied his petition to the Boy Scouts to change their policy. He had 400,000 signatures, and they turned him away. When questioned, he answered (though this shouldn't be necessary) it was not his decision to be gay, and that he was a religious person. Even if he weren't religious that would not matter if he were straight.
A large number of boys in Scouts hold no religious views. This is overlooked, because the Scouts don't enforce it. But somehow, being gay is scrutinized and given as a reason for dismissal. And only when a Scout is gay is his religion taken into account. That is discrimination and hidden intolerance at its worst.
By August, I was ready to return my Eagle Scout patch, merit badge sash, official membership card and anything else pertaining to Scouts. I couldn't do it. Boy Scouts and the people involved are like family to me.
It would be wrong for me to deny everything Boy Scouts has given me. However, it's sad that a straight 21-year-old is more comfortable with his and others' sexuality than a bunch of "wise" old men. I hope the Boy Scouts strongly reconsider what they've done, because I've never been so ashamed of my Scout Family.
- Jorgenson is a senior from Shawnee, Kan., majoring in English writing and film studies.