The proposition of thwarting The Boy Scouts of America’s traditional practice of excluding homosexuals from obtaining membership has been vexed in recent months. The debate surrounding the consideration of lifting the ban is centered on the ethical dilemma of prohibiting potential scouts from entering the organization.
Maintaining the status quo would reap the benefits of appeasing conventional participants in the organization while simultaneously hindering progress thought within the institution. The final decision will impact past, present, and future scout participants.
Meanwhile the controversy surrounding the ban will allow young men involved in the group to hone in the skill of reaching a consensus when faced with a moral challenge as outlined by the Boy Scout mission statement, which says “the mission of the Boy Scouts of America is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law.”
AP Psychology and AP World History teacher William Boyd, who has been involved with the organization for 15 years as a scout leader is in full support of the ban and feels leaving it unaltered in no way suffocates the group’s ability to thrive.
“I think the only limit to Boy Scouts would be to trim their sails to the social pressure and social attitudes. Scouters and scout leaders need the Boy Scouts to stand firm now, more than ever before,” said Mr. Boyd.
Senior James Griffin, who is currently involved in scouts as an assistant, is also an advocate of the ban and even recognizes it as advantageous.
“It is not going to grow as quickly as it possibly could, but due to the foundation it is beneficial,” said Griffin.
In addition to viewing a ban as a mechanism to uphold the organization’s traditional core values, some familiar with the institution such as senior Jonathan Martindale feel lifting the ban would foster feelings of insecurity within troops.
“I would feel very uncomfortable, especially since I do not support homosexuality. I would feel very uncomfortable around that person,” said Martindale.
Sophomore Noah Antony has similar feelings to Martindale despite being in favor of lifting the ban. He feels that being openly gay in no way hinders a boy’s ability to participate in scouts.
“Just because they like the opposite sex does not mean they cannot do the physical stuff other boy scouts do,” said Antony.
While Antony’s opinion recognizes the equality factor in regards to physical ability, others, such as Martindale, feel lifting the ban would disrupt the camaraderie the organization creates.
“As far as I know the culture that is created would frown upon gay members,” said Martindale.
While many are firm in their beliefs, junior Drew Swalley, who is in the midst of achieving Eagle Scout ranking, is in between regarding his opinion of the issue. He
agrees that sexuality does not define a person’s physical skills, but he is not open to completely abolishing the ban.
“I think it should stay to a point. I think we should have homosexual leaders. Adults are more comfortable with their sexuality and not as open to experimentation,” said Swalley.
According to cnn.com, “gays hoping to join the Boy Scouts will have to wait until at least May after the organization’s executive board put off a vote on lifting its outright ban on openly homosexual scouts and troop leaders.”
“…due to the complexity of this issue, the organization needs time for a more deliberate review of its membership policy,” said volunteer officers of the Boy Scouts of America’s National Executive Board in a written statement.
