The way I see it it's pretty simple: I support scouts, ALL scouts. If they are gay it's none of my business. I sure as hell won't punish them for that (not that it's an issue in Cub Scouts in terms of the scouts themselves, pretty much all of them think girls have cooties!)

As for leaders, I can indeed understand the concern parents have. However, I also know what measures have been put in place to protect scouts from all predators (and, no, I'm not saying gay people are predators, they're just as likely to be predators as anyone else) and, if adhered to by all parties (leaders, parents, the scouts themselves) they kids are safe. Every leader has to take Youth Protection Training every year. I took it twice in fact (the first time I took it I clicked on the wrong link, didn't get a certificate, had to take it again to get the certificate). Packs can't recharter unless they can prove that every leader has taken the training. One of the requirements for the scouts to get the Bobcat badge (which every Cub Scout has to obtain) is for them to understand what kind of behavior from adults towards them is wrong and what to do about it.

The point is that no Cub Scout should ever be alone with a leader (other than their parent, naturally, if their parent is a leader) at any time. The safety of the Scouts is the top priority (it is in our pack if I have anything to say about it... and I do!)

As such, I would support their changing the rules to allow gay leaders and, especially, gay scouts. Not only is it the right thing to do morally but it would also help packs who are often hindered by boycotts from businesses/organizations/people who adhere to non-discrimination policies. This harms the scouts by depriving them of opportunities and resources (many United Way chapters, the primary means of support for many packs, have dropped their support of scouts altogether). Not to mention that some people refuse to let their kids enroll due to their personal objections to this policy. I see scouting as a wonderful opportunity for boys to learn lifelong skills, create wonderful memories, bond with their caregivers and gain confidence... denying them that because of their sexual orientation (or the scouts policy on it) is ridiculous. This is 2013!

It's about the kids. Keep them safe but give them every opportunity you can. That's all I care about. If getting rid of this policy helps in those regards then by all means get rid of it. But it's not my call, I have to abide by what the BSA chooses to do. I just hope they do the right thing. I want every boy to have the opportunity to Do Your Best, and to be 100% safe while doing so.

I sure as hell won't punish them for that (not that it's an issue in Cub Scouts in terms of the scouts themselves, pretty much all of them think girls have cooties!)

Don't gays think for pretty much their whole lives that girls have cooties? ;-)

Don't gays think for pretty much their whole lives that girls have cooties? ;-)

Exactly my point. If we had to kick out all the Cub Scouts who would rather hang out with boys than girls... we'd have to kick out all the Cub Scouts! Not that I can blame them at that age. I have five younger sisters... girls from the age of 6 - 10 are obnoxious for the most part!

Not that it stops at age 12... if ever. Nor does it apply to all girls. Just all the ones I knew at that age. Once again, glad I have a son! I can put up with his shenanigans, but the way girls shriek... egads! Those who can deal with that are a better man than I!

Once again, glad I have a son! I can put up with his shenanigans, but the way girls shriek... egads! Those who can deal with that are a better man than I!

Oh, the stories I could tell about being a single parent Dad to an opposite gender child....

However, I also know what measures have been put in place to protect scouts from all predators (and, no, I'm not saying gay people are predators, they're just as likely to be predators as anyone else)

I think this has been a long held misconception, that all gay men are pedophiles. Don't know that started, maybe from older gay men being sugar daddies to younger gay men, I don't know. Seems to be a double standard, old lecherous heteros being a sugar daddy to some college coed is ok?

I really don't care one way or the other about gay scout masters. Like everything else, can they do the job, yes or no. The only big thing I didn't like about the whole argument was the general public trying to force a private organization to do something. Similar to Augusta National and women members.

JLC

The only big thing I didn't like about the whole argument was the general public trying to force a private organization to do something. Similar to Augusta National and women members.

I'm glad the Scouts won in front of the SCOTUS, the government shouldn't be forcing them to make this change. I don't have a problem with the public pressure though... the public has the right to put pressure on them to change. The organization is almost 103 years old and it has gone through many changes, this would simply be another one. I think they are going about it in the right way with the Youth Protection Training. Getting several years of that under their belts to evaluate instead of saying "We're making this change tomorrow!" is the responsible way to do it IMHO.

Really the only thing keeping a homosexual from being a Scout or a Leader is their coming out. I'm sure there are plenty of homosexuals in the Scouts who are in the closet. Going through this training evaluation period will likely show that they aren't a danger to the kids if the rules are followed and enforced. Will pedophiles try to get into the organization still? Sure, and I hope this program stops them dead in their tracks.

How many pedophiles have wives? Plenty. Hell, just look at the Penn State scandal! Sandusky was married to a woman. That alone isn't proof that they aren't pedophiles. John Wayne Gacy is another one who was married (more than once in fact).

Really the only thing keeping a homosexual from being a Scout or a Leader is their coming out.

My only issue is the sexualization of children. It's wrong when gays do it. It is wrong when straights do it. If they keep their sexual stuff to themselves and away from the kids, I'm fine with gay/lesbian Scout leaders.

well I read in the paper that corporations had withdrawn funding the Boy Scouts and it was hurting them, number of scout troops were down.

I thought it was interesting that the Girl Scouts had no restriction on sexual orientation.

An adult and a child/young person should not be alone at all. With all the sex abuse cases that have come up over the yrs with churches, teachers, scouts, any kid organization, there is apt to be a draw for pedophiles. Ick Ick and more Ick!

Nothing the scouts will do will ever make liberals happy. Unless perhaps they start carrying pink backpacks and sing songs of praise to the UN.

Why the scouts should even buckle on one thing is a mystery to me. To me, the fact that the scouts are consistantly at odds with the media and popular culture in general is a good thing.

When I was a scout, I spent plenty of time one-on-one with a leader. You see, my dad was frakking worthless as a dad. The 2 or 3 men that took me in were morally and ethically straight and got me moving in the right direction. I learned discipline and I learned right from wrong by gentle coercion and teaching, not by fear or intimidation. I learned to shoot a rifle, shoot a bow, fish, basic survival skills and many, many other things as my box of merit badges suggest.

I would have been an eagle scout if my parents had not moved to a place where scouts were nonexistant.

Metal

I really don't care one way or the other about gay scout masters. Like everything else, can they do the job, yes or no. The only big thing I didn't like about the whole argument was the general public trying to force a private organization to do something. Similar to Augusta National and women members.

JLC


I agree.

I'd also like to add that the way to stop gay or straight pedofiles is a swift drop at the end of a rope.

That would stop it quick and get the frakkers off planet earth in a hurry.

No mercy for child molesters.

Metal

I thought it was interesting that the Girl Scouts had no restriction on sexual orientation.

An adult and a child/young person should not be alone at all. With all the sex abuse cases that have come up over the yrs with churches, teachers, scouts, any kid organization, there is apt to be a draw for pedophiles. Ick Ick and more Ick!
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I agree, LD. It only takes one bad incident to really scar a kid. 'nuff said. It is so hard to separate the good (Colovian, my son and DIL (active in scouts) with scum looking for fresh meat. Parents be aware. And BE there. I once listened to a sermon where the priest said that people with problems were drawn to the clergy. That's true and it's frightening. But really, really good people are also drawn. It's a draw - and parents have to be vigilent.

arrete

Don't gays think for pretty much their whole lives that girls have cooties? ;-)


I don't think that.

I like women and genuinely enjoy their company. I just don't want to get sexual with them, that's all.