The Boy Scouts of America this week re-affirmed the organization’s ban on homosexuals. (Karen Bleier / AFP/Getty Images / July 20, 2012) |
Re “Boy Scouts to keep ban on gays,” July 18
While gay rights progress in some areas, the Boy Scouts of America keeps its head in the sand over an issue so fundamental to the maturation of young boys. Imagine the angst of youth grappling with questions about sexuality and also wanting to be in the Boy Scouts.
Oh, but the adults in the Roman Catholic and Mormon churches are unaccepting and would withhold the donations that are crucial to the Boy Scouts. Talk about a sad situation.
Sexual identity is not a choice; the seeds are planted at birth, and to play with one’s mind in trying to alter those seeds is destructive and unconscionable.
Ronald L. Wallace
Sherman Oaks
Re “Boy Scouts’ wrong path,” Editorial, July 19
The Times’ editorial bemoaning the “sad” and “unnecessary” evolution of the Boy Scouts reflected in its exclusion of gays and atheists should instead decry the fact that in many cases, democracy has evolved into a fanatic religion of the equal sign.
The support of Christian churches does not represent any nefarious and new penetration of religion into the Boy Scouts. Since its founding, the Boy Scouts has been based on traditional religious principles — nothing new here. The Supreme Court has affirmed the Boy Scouts’ right to express this principle in its membership.
I do not see why it is so hard for some “democrats” to extend their love for equality and free choice to freedom of association. There is nothing to prevent the formation of parallel institutions that articulate their own values.
Jack Kaczorowski
Los Angeles
The Boy Scouts has confirmed its exit from the American mainstream. It has made matters worse for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community in saying it is protecting parents’ “right to address issues of same-sex orientation within their family, with spiritual advisors and at the appropriate time and in the right
setting.”
Those who openly discriminate use this mind-set to justify a disgraceful attitude that aims to shame the LGBT community (and atheists) into hiding. Parents looking for a program that includes a moral foundation will not find it in the Boy Scouts.
Roy Speckhardt
Washington
The writer is the executive director of the American Humanist Assn.
Hallo Scottie,
I would like to make a comment to the picture:
Are the scouts near the military or the church?
I find it disgusting when children and young people need to use a military salute.
The salute is for me subjecting and Devotismus compared to a power.
This picture reminds me of the “Hitler Youth” or the “neo-Nazi youth groups”
Gruß
Nikki
Hello Nikki. The boys scouts are a bunch of contradictions. They say it was first started by a open gay man, had no problem with gay scouts or leaders until the 1970′s, and their whole program is one of indoctrination. Yes they have the scout salute and a scout oath…both make me a little leery. Hugs
Comment by Nikki — July 21, 2012 @ 02:48
Once again, fear reigns supreme, fear of losing funding from homophobic organizations, and fear of the effect that those ‘gay kids’ will have on our
good ‘straight kids’. Such unfounded and irrational fears are still alive and well, and probably will be in the closet when not on the streets.
Those of us who are rational, compassionate human beings will still have to plug away at the truism: “gay is okay”.
–carlitos
Hello Carlitos. Both you and I have had the importunity to rescue a young person and give them hope. It did not matter our sexual orientation, it was the hope, the good we could do to change the young persons life. And we have made a difference. Yes it is fear and bigotry. There is not a shred of credible evidence to say such rules and discrimination help the boys in one bit, make them safer or in anyway say a gay person is more a threat than any one in general. But I have found some people need that hate, that idea for them to feel good about themselves and for them to feel in control of their world. Hugs
Comment by carlitos — July 21, 2012 @ 10:07
I wonder how the boy scouts would like a lawsuit when they kick a boy out who isn’t gay and his parents sue them.
Hello Bern. Wow that is a thought. But I so dislike the idea that we make being gay or not gay sound like a bad thing for young people. I would like to work for a world where a persons sexual nature is as unimportant as what color shirt they wear or what color their hair is. It is just accepted as natural and normal. Especially for young people who face the daunting task of figuring out who they are and where they fit in their world. I cringe when I see the pressure they are under to fit in, it kills all their individuality, and to add the idea that somehow the sexual feelings they were born with are evil or make them wrong is more than they should have to deal with. Many hugs
Comment by Bern — July 21, 2012 @ 15:44
A persons sexuality should be only one very small part of who we are. I had a close straight friend who didn’t care that I am gay and he didn’t care what people thought. I felt closer to him than my last boy friend. Unfortunately, he got sick, refused to go to the doctor and on June 8, 2011 I found him drowned in my bath tub. I can still see him in that bath tub. However, I totally agree with you, our young people shouldn’t have to deal with the fear of some idiot boy scout leader pointing a finger and saying your queer boy, get out……….!!!!
Bern I am sorry for the loss of your friend. I hope you find peace, and he found the peace he needed. I send you a warm strong hug.
Comment by Bern — July 23, 2012 @ 10:48