Scouts honor: To include gays?

I remember being 8 and following the footsteps of my older sister. I could not wait to become a Girl Scout. Some of my favorite memories include overnight stays in cabins, cooking eggs for the crew and indulging in shortbread cookies. Among other things, being a Girl Scout taught me responsibility, social skills and community service. Why should sexual orientation prevent young boys from the right to pursue similar values as a member of Boy Scouts? It should not.

"Gays and lesbians should have access and opportunity the same way everybody else does," said President Barack Obama in an interview Feb. 3.

Since Obama's interview, a number of conservative groups have advised Boy Scouts to remain true to their moral principles. Backlash says that as a private organization, Boy Scouts have a right to determine member-

ship criteria for their pledging scouts. While this may be the case legally, Boy Scouts have an ethical duty to not discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation. The long-time ban on gays sends a clear message to young gay men: you are not wanted or worthy of gaining membership to our organization. Aside from these young boys become social outcasts

in their communities, the Boy Scouts long-time ban on gays perpetuates a divide between the straight and gay communities.

As a result, gay boys cannot join Boy Scouts without hiding their sexual orientation. Despite the highly-publicized campaign to end the ban, Boy Scouts "stayed true" to their moral standards.

Their policy reads: "While the B.S.A. does not proactively inquire about the sexual orientation of employees, volunteers or members, we do not grant membership to individuals who are open or avowed homosexuals or who engage in behavior that would become a distraction to the mission of the B.S.A."

I do not believe that sexual orientation will "become a distraction" for Boy Scouts. Perhaps, the organization should focus on integrity and character.

Aside from their long-time gay ban, B.S.A gained public- ity for their perversion files. These files contain sexual abuse cases between under- cover gay leaders and scouts.

"Every parent concerned about guiding and protecting their own children should also be alarmed by the proposed change to Boy Scout policy," said one conservatist group.

It seems as if parents should be concerned about the safety of their children because perverted leaders are preying on their children. Please note that these perversion cases occurred with the long-time

openly gay ban in place. So, I say again, instead of focusing on whether or not

someone is gay, B.S.A. needs to reprioritize and consider their true, original purpose which was to teach [boys] patriotism, courage, self- reliance and kindred values. The Boy Scouts purpose is to "inspire a lifetime of character and service."

I know gay boys can contribute to the B.S.A. purpose just as much as straight boys.

The Boy Scout brand vision is to "make this country bet- ter." The Boy Scouts have chosen to uphold a small por- tion of their standard, while neglecting their ultimate vision. Outcasting little boys because of their sexual orientation and hiding perversion within their organization does not make this country better.