Despite national policy banning gays, the largest Boy Scout group in Minnesota will stay inclusive

[goodhue]

Source: Star Tribune

Despite national policy banning gays, the largest Boy Scout group in Minnesota will stay inclusive

Article by: KELLY SMITH , Star Tribune
Updated: July 18, 2012 - 2:42 PM

Northern Star Council welcomes gay Scouts as BSA reaffirms policy to bar "open, avowed homosexuals."

Minnesota's biggest Boy Scout group said Tuesday that gays and lesbians remain welcome in its troops, despite a national announcement that the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) will continue to bar leaders, employees and members who are "open or avowed homosexuals."

"We're a reflection of the community," said Kent York, spokesman for the Northern Star Council, which has 75,000 Scouts in Minnesota and western Wisconsin. "Our commitment has been to reach out to all young people and have a positive influence."

York said that the Twin Cities-based Scout council, one of the nation's largest, will continue to follow a 12-year-old "inclusive leadership selection" practice.

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Read more: http://www.startribune.com/local/west/162817346.html

[Stargazer09]

1. Good for them

And I think it's funny (in a sad sort of way) that one mother quoted in the article wouldn't give her name, but she was supportive of the BSA's stupid decision.

My two youngest sons are in scouting, but only because our local group doesn't get preachy about religion or homosexuality.

[benld74]

2. BAM! Badge Awarded!

[Gothmog]

3. Cool. I am forwarding this article to my Troop committee chair

He and I have visted our Council before and were assured by our leaders that they would not enforce the National policy. Most councils operate on a very intersting variation of "do'n't ask, don't tell" where the only way that the National polciy would be enforced would be if you wore your scout uniform to gay pride event

[woo me with science]

4. That's the way to do it.

Refuse to participate in what is wrong.

Good for them.

[d_r]

5. most will be "dont ask dont tell"

but that makes gay folks so vulnarble to anyone with a grudge.

I hope more local groups will take a stand.

[Gothmog]

7. My troop's council has a stricter version of Don't, Ask, Don't Tell

Basically, my understanding of the unofficial rules for the Sam Houston Area Council is that you are okay so long as a leader does not wear their scout uniform to a gay pride event.

[Gothmog]

6. This is from this council's website

This is from the website for this council. http://www.northernstarbsa.org/News.aspx?articleID=1242 and http://www.northernstarbsa.org/AboutUs/Leadership/Inclusiveness.aspx I have forwarded this to my troop's scoutmaster and committee chair.

One fallback position has been that so long as the chartering organization does not care, then a troop should be allowed to established the standards for their leaders. I have no desire to force a LDS troop to accept a gay leader but the LDS units should not have a say in my troop's leadership.

I seem to remember that a New York council tried to adopt some less restrictive rules but these rules were changed by the national organization. I used to post on scouts-l which is a listserve for scouting leaders. That listserve had some strict rules about discussing the three Gs, G-d, Gays and Girls.

[mchill]

11. LDS Troops

are exclusively LDS and the leaders are appointed by the Bishops and Stake Presidents so nobody would force a gay leader on them. I can't remember what the exact figure is, but 49% or 51% of BSA membership is LDS. Every boy in the LDS church is required to join the BSA.

[d_r]

13. thanks for posting this

I've been trying to think what I can do.

I'm going with popcorn. I'm going to encourage our pack not to sell popcorn. We'll have our own fundraiser and keep all the money, rather than selling popcorn and splitting the money with the council and nationals.

[Atypical Liberal]

8. This is great!

As an Eagle Scout, I'm glad of this. I did not know that local councils could override the national. I hope this spreads.

[Odin2005]

9. We Minnesotans do things differently.

[zonkers]

12. Good for you guys.

[NickB79]

15. It's a good sign that we'll defeat that stupid marriage amendment this fall. nt

[sarisataka]

10. I have a couple friends on the council

I will have to thank them, next time I see them.

[CRK7376]

14. Good for them!

As an Eagle Scout and the father of two Eagle Scouts, I think that the stand the Twin Lakes Council is taking is a good one. Who cares whom other adults love, what difference does it make. Are they providing a positive role model to a young man? That's what is important about the Boy Scout program.