Repercussions of the Boy Scouts decision on gays

[rightsideout]

Just thought of something. I was in Scouts and eventually got my Eagle, a week before my 18th birthday. LOL. But thinking back on that I realized that under the new "gay rule," a gay scout is now out of the scouting program at age 18. Many scouts, at age 18, either go on to Explorers (it could be a different name now), go on to become Jr Assistant Scoutmaster, Assistant Scoutmaster or continue to serve in some leadership capacity in Scouting.

But under the new rules, if you are a gay scout, you are out of the program whether you like it or not at age 18.

It's kind of weird when you think about it. If you are gay and join Scouting as a kid, you will be asked to leave as soon as you turn 18. Why join an organization you know will be eventually be kicked out of?

I imagine that's the best compromise they could come up with. Maybe scouting will secretly come out with some gay deprogramming to get gay kids to go straight. It will be interesting to see what messages they edit into the Scout Handbook on the issue.

[Puzzledtraveller]

1. I wonder why a similar organization that doesn't descriminate hasn't emerged

I mean, what really is the BSA? Why does anyone want their childen to be a part of it if they don't share the same values? I'd rather see another organization rise up than see the BSA reluctantly and half-ass change when it's probably not sincere in the first place.

[MineralMan]

3. Starting such an organization is tough.

There should be one, and there probably are small, local organizations for youths that don't discriminate as the BSA has done for a long time. But, creating a large, nationwide organization is very difficult, especially when its focus is narrow. The BSA has still not taken the entire step it needs to take. I hope they will do that.

[LuvNewcastle]

4. I've been thinking the same thing.

I never was in Scouts. The whole Scouting thing looked kind of dorky to me; I don't know why. I never wanted to be in a single-sex organization. I always thought it would suck not to have any girls around. Some of my best friends were girls. There should be an organization for the disorganized laid-back kids.

[Lex]

6. 4H Club

A friend and I were discussing this same thing and she said had a blast in 4H club as a kid. Lots of activities and pretty laid back.

[LuvNewcastle]

8. They had 4-H at a school I attended in

the 3rd grade, but we moved and I never saw one again in other schools I attended. It's a shame I missed out.

[aikoaiko]

2. It is a compromise and a strategic compromise at that.

It will be patently obvious how ridiculous the rule is when the situation you described emerges more and more over time.

[hlthe2b]

5. How smart were the Girl Scouts--in never discriinating to begin with...

Remember that folks come cookie season.

[LostOne4Ever]

7. Well

A half assed measure is better than no measure. I definitely applaud them for this step and hope that the next few steps will come quickly so that they might one day be as inclusive as the Girl Scouts of America.