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My brother just became an openly gay Eagle Scout. But we're still 'unfit' to be leaders My brother just became an openly gay Eagle Scout. But we're still 'unfit' to be leaders
(about 1 hour later)
Unfit for duty. That's what the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) would've told me if I had revealed my sexuality before last May's landmark decision, and it's what they would say to me today if I wanted to lead a troop. Both my brother and I are gay Eagle Scouts. We are out to our friends and family, and we've been fortunate enough to face universal acceptance. Well, near universal.Unfit for duty. That's what the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) would've told me if I had revealed my sexuality before last May's landmark decision, and it's what they would say to me today if I wanted to lead a troop. Both my brother and I are gay Eagle Scouts. We are out to our friends and family, and we've been fortunate enough to face universal acceptance. Well, near universal.
I was aware of the anti-gay policy as a Boy Scout and chose to keep my sexuality private when among the members and leaders of my troop. Though I am confident none of them would have had issues with my sexual orientation would, merely knowing about it would have put them in the awkward position of being aware of a gay scout. I progressed quietly for seven years and earned the rank of Eagle in June 2010. Silence kept me safe. I was aware of the anti-gay policy as a Boy Scout and chose to keep my sexuality private when among the members and leaders of my troop. Though I am confident none of them would have had issues with my sexual orientation, merely knowing about it would have put them in the awkward position of being aware of a gay scout. I progressed quietly for seven years and earned the rank of Eagle in June 2010. Silence kept me safe.
In July 2012, when my younger brother, Pascal, was working on his Eagle Scout, the organization reaffirmed its ban on gay scouts and scout leaders, and I began to think about acting on his behalf. Pascal opened up about his sexuality in 2013. When a local council leader said, "It would be impossible for him to get his Eagle," I knew the time had come.In July 2012, when my younger brother, Pascal, was working on his Eagle Scout, the organization reaffirmed its ban on gay scouts and scout leaders, and I began to think about acting on his behalf. Pascal opened up about his sexuality in 2013. When a local council leader said, "It would be impossible for him to get his Eagle," I knew the time had come.
I want to be clear that the campaign I launched was not the first challenge to the BSA's policy. A few of the brave members of scouting who have tried to set things right before me are former Scoutmaster James Dale (BSA v Dale, 2000), Jennifer Tyrrell, who was ousted from her position as a den leader in April 2012, and Ryan Andresen, an Eagle candidate who was denied his rank in early 2013 because he too is gay. The bravery shown by these and others inspired me to take action.I want to be clear that the campaign I launched was not the first challenge to the BSA's policy. A few of the brave members of scouting who have tried to set things right before me are former Scoutmaster James Dale (BSA v Dale, 2000), Jennifer Tyrrell, who was ousted from her position as a den leader in April 2012, and Ryan Andresen, an Eagle candidate who was denied his rank in early 2013 because he too is gay. The bravery shown by these and others inspired me to take action.
Using the online campaign platform Change.org, I started a petition to gather support for overturning the BSA's discrimination policy in advance of their national meeting in May 2013. I shared the petition through Facebook and email, expecting to get a few hundred, maybe a thousand responses.Using the online campaign platform Change.org, I started a petition to gather support for overturning the BSA's discrimination policy in advance of their national meeting in May 2013. I shared the petition through Facebook and email, expecting to get a few hundred, maybe a thousand responses.
By May, when the BSA met to vote on the policy, 143,000 people from all over the world had pledged their support, and the issue had received international attention. Thank you to everyone who reached out on behalf of my brother. Your hard work led to an amazing victory when the BSA voted to overturn its ban on gay youth.By May, when the BSA met to vote on the policy, 143,000 people from all over the world had pledged their support, and the issue had received international attention. Thank you to everyone who reached out on behalf of my brother. Your hard work led to an amazing victory when the BSA voted to overturn its ban on gay youth.
While fighting for my brother's right to stay in scouting, I heard heartbreaking stories of people who have devoted part of their lives to the Boy Scouts but suffered at the hands of the BSA's policies. They may not have been in the news when the vote took place, but they paved the way for inclusiveness in scouting. The concern and support of thousands of people went a long way toward giving me – and Pascal, who was on the front line –the encouragement to keep going. Receiving letters from Eagle Scouts who offered Pascal their own Eagle badges and rank pins brought tears to my eyes (and I cry with the frequency of an Easter Island statue).While fighting for my brother's right to stay in scouting, I heard heartbreaking stories of people who have devoted part of their lives to the Boy Scouts but suffered at the hands of the BSA's policies. They may not have been in the news when the vote took place, but they paved the way for inclusiveness in scouting. The concern and support of thousands of people went a long way toward giving me – and Pascal, who was on the front line –the encouragement to keep going. Receiving letters from Eagle Scouts who offered Pascal their own Eagle badges and rank pins brought tears to my eyes (and I cry with the frequency of an Easter Island statue).
Pascal has just become one of the first openly gay scouts in the US to be awarded the rank of Eagle. It was a historic moment – for him, for everyone who has worked toward this goal, and for the Boy Scouts of America. Gay youth are now entitled to be part of the rich and valuable tradition of Scouting.Pascal has just become one of the first openly gay scouts in the US to be awarded the rank of Eagle. It was a historic moment – for him, for everyone who has worked toward this goal, and for the Boy Scouts of America. Gay youth are now entitled to be part of the rich and valuable tradition of Scouting.
His victory will be short-lived. In just six months, when Pascal turns 18, he can no longer be involved in scouting, despite having earned its highest honor, despite having been lauded by Aaron Chusid of the BSA, who said "there is no better example of what we teach" than Pascal. He cannot give back to an organization that has helped shape him into a boy with the courage to defend what he believes is right. Why? Because at 18, he is an adult in the eyes of the BSA, and gay adults, including the parents of scouts, are banned from the organization.His victory will be short-lived. In just six months, when Pascal turns 18, he can no longer be involved in scouting, despite having earned its highest honor, despite having been lauded by Aaron Chusid of the BSA, who said "there is no better example of what we teach" than Pascal. He cannot give back to an organization that has helped shape him into a boy with the courage to defend what he believes is right. Why? Because at 18, he is an adult in the eyes of the BSA, and gay adults, including the parents of scouts, are banned from the organization.
I am encouraged that Robert Gates, who was instrumental in ending discrimination against gay and lesbian members of the US military, has been chosen as the incoming leader of the BSA. His record suggests that he will act to resolve an irrational policy in an organization whose mission it is to teach honesty, respect, and leadership.I am encouraged that Robert Gates, who was instrumental in ending discrimination against gay and lesbian members of the US military, has been chosen as the incoming leader of the BSA. His record suggests that he will act to resolve an irrational policy in an organization whose mission it is to teach honesty, respect, and leadership.
The decision last May was a huge step forward for the BSA and scouting, and advocates are ready to work with the organization to promote equality until scouting is inclusive for all.The decision last May was a huge step forward for the BSA and scouting, and advocates are ready to work with the organization to promote equality until scouting is inclusive for all.