The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) has been under some pressure from several groups lately to amend their stance on banning gay scouts. Last Friday (19 April 2013), as they try to seek for an elusive middle ground on an issue that has divided its ranks and drawn heated national debate, the organization proposed ending its longstanding ban on openly gay scouts but continuing to bar gay adults from serving as leaders.
The proposal was put on the table but it must still gain the approval of the roughly 1,400 voting members of the Scouts' National Council at a meeting in Texas the week of May 20.
"No youth may be denied membership in the Boy Scouts of America on the basis of sexual orientation or preference alone," the proposed policy states. But the organization "will maintain the current membership policy for all adult leaders."
As the arguments from both sides spill over the public forums, I found that Debate.Org has already put the question "Should the Boy Scouts of America allow gay members?" on the floor and the poll showed that majority (54 percent) who replied to the question answered "No". Some of their compelling arguments are as follows:
The proposal was put on the table but it must still gain the approval of the roughly 1,400 voting members of the Scouts' National Council at a meeting in Texas the week of May 20.
"No youth may be denied membership in the Boy Scouts of America on the basis of sexual orientation or preference alone," the proposed policy states. But the organization "will maintain the current membership policy for all adult leaders."
As the arguments from both sides spill over the public forums, I found that Debate.Org has already put the question "Should the Boy Scouts of America allow gay members?" on the floor and the poll showed that majority (54 percent) who replied to the question answered "No". Some of their compelling arguments are as follows:
"It is dangerous.
In an organization like this, where the people need teamwork and live close to each other, allowing gay members would disrupt the members of the boys scout. Some rape cases or even murder cases of gays and non-gays in school is proof. This "abnormality" would shake the teamwork that the boy scouts hold onto, and safety of the boy scouts would be demolished.
Posted by: drec.hart
No it is unfair to the heterosexual children.
People really don't think outside the box do they. This isn't a typical, "Do you agree with gay rights debate." This is much more complicated. Equal rights is all well in good but what about the straight kids? Which no matter how you put it will always outweigh the number of gays. How are young children going to like a boy that may possibly be ATTRACTED to them going on hikes and recreational activities with them? It isn't just about the 1 gay boy that wants to join. It's about the comfort of the whole unit. And 1 gay person could very well disrupt that.
Posted by: JeremyMcNamee
Gay boys might as well be girls.
Being a boy inherently means that you like girls. Therefore, a boy that likes boys is basically a girl. Thus, they should join the girl scouts. Furthermore, in scouts I was called gay multiple times. I am not gay at all. In addition, who would want to sleep in a tent or go off with a gay boy. They will probably be scared of sexual assault or something. For the safety of the gays and the comfort of the real boys, gays should be put in girl scouts, not boy scouts.
Posted by: Cowboy0108
sadolite
No, It shouldn't allow anyone who is going to discuss their sexuality. Homosexual or heterosexual. Why on earth does it have to be known. Why would a gay person want to discuss their sexuality with little 6 to 12 year old boys? Especially a gay man. I can think of no other reasons than indoctrination, perversion and pedophilia.
Posted by: sadolite
They are called the Boy Scouts, not the Bi Scouts, for common sense reasons
It just makes common sense to ban gays from the Boy Scouts, especially from being Troop leaders. The reason is the same reason why men do not take girl scouts on over night camping trips. In the large majority of cases, the Scout leaders would not molest the Scouts, but why put a gay man in charge of young boys, where at least the potential for attraction and abuse is there. No parent wants to send there child into that situation.
If gays are allowed, I would expect a huge drop off in parents putting their sons into the Boy Scouts. The Boy Scouts of America should resist this pressure from the Gay rights lobby if they want to their institution to survive.
Posted by: teddy2013
No, they should not
Just because you are gay does not mean you get to force people especially that hold strong Christian values to accommodate you. The Boys Scouts were started based on Christian values. I do not believe in discrimination against gays. This is not discrimination. The last time I checked the U.S. Constitution protects religious freedom. Gay organizations seem to want to call every does not agree with their agenda homophobic. It is possible not to hate gays and also not support the gay agenda.
Posted by: Anonymous"