(no subject)

[bicrim]

I am so over this boy scouting thing. I can not understand why anyone would expose their sons to bigotry, and support it with their time and money. I am sick of people asking me why my boys are not scouts, and having to come out over and over again. I am 34, I came out at 17, sometimes being queer sucks. I hate that I am passed as straight against my will all the time, and I hate that I know people both online and in real life who think it's fine to be involved in something that my family is not welcome at. I am not allowed to be a fucking den mother because my gay might run off on the kids. It makes me ill.

Comments

[hippydippymama.livejournal.com]

=(

*hugs*

[why-me-why-not.livejournal.com]

I totally get it. I get asked ALL THE TIME why my boys aren't in scouts, and I hate being made to feel like I have to defend my choice. My standard answer is something along the lines of, "I'm raising my kids to be open-minded, tolerant, and GOOD PEOPLE." We'll stick with our church youth group, tyvm.

[thesynergizer.livejournal.com]

is there a campfire kids group near you? i think they welcome everyone!

[owlsarentaholes.livejournal.com]

We need to find some localish alternative for our boys.  Right now, I'm just grateful that Mike takes no initiative - he was heavily involved in BSA, and I know Ronin has an interest in scouting. I've always been afraid he would sign him up. It's such a fucked up policy.

[geminigirl]

Look for Campfire USA or Navigators USA.

[indigodreamer.livejournal.com]

Really ridiculous. I don't know if we would've done boy scouts if not for their hateful policies, but I can guarantee that those policies will keep our family far away. If they keep it up, they'll find themselves without many members in a decade: mark my word.

[podling]

I don't have kids, but I'm with you 100%.

[podling]

Also, from what I've heard, Spiral Scouts is a good group. Not sure if they're nearby though....

[leatherfish.livejournal.com]

Malcolm was just commenting that the policies of the Boy Scouts would exclude him from being a leader on two fronts! David too, and both of them would make excellent leaders.

More information on local scouting

[professor-mom.livejournal.com]

Just to let you know--I originally went back and forth over this with my son. He has autism and I thought scouting might help him. I actually at one point decided against allowing him to take part in scouting because of this policy. However, we live in Minnesota and I found out that where we live--the largest scouting council in the country-- has an open policy with regard to acceptance of anyone with disregard to sexual preference. I don't know specifically of anyone, but I believe that there are gay den mothers in Minnesota. The policy has been written and rewritten and I liked previous incarnations better, but I think it's still acceptable. They leave selection of scouting volunteers up to each troop. The national scouting organization is headed in Texas and I think they are reflecting local attitudes. Too bad it's being hoisted over the rest of the country! I'm sorry that you have to experience such outrageous discrimination. I hope that will change in time. In the meantime, it's interesting to know that local councils can have their own policies which oppose the national policy.