BSA Banning "Gay" Scouts

    As an adorned Eagle Scout, the decision of the BSA, Boy Scouts of America, bothers me. The BSA taught me that boys of this age need to know certain fields to be relevant in this fluctuating time of war and economic distress. Not allowing a boy to join because he proclaims himself to be gay and not allowing gay den masters is just unethical. The BSA offers camaraderie, widely applicable knowledge, and most important, serves as a parental figure.

•    The BSA boasts the many activities it has for boys to work together and grow as a troop, or group. Excluding boys from this no different than the juveniles schools demonizing and harassing gay students in schools. The BSA is ironically degrading itself by reverting itself into that school yard bully. The BSA does realizes that its standing in the way of young men coming together and learning social skills, learning to interact, and learning to disregard differences to achieve a common goal.
•    The BSA offers knowledge in a wide range of fields and topics. They offer badges which one gets through showing proficient knowledge of the field or topic the badge relates to as a task/reward system. The aim of every scout is to earn enough badges to become an Eagle Scout. The knowledge available has been enough for young men to choose their college majors so they don't enter as undecided. In learning the information, you learn how to study and you are off the streets. The vast range of knowledge spreads from crafts like leather working to technological advances. Denying a boy this treasure trove of information as comparable to a school neglecting children math and sciences just because they answered wrong on what ice cream flavor they liked.    
•      When you deny a willing mentor a chance to influence a young life, it is harmful for everyone. In the case of Jennifer Tyrrell in a story by NBC News, she was ousted from her role as the troop den leader because she is a lesbian. Jennifer joined when her son joined his pack and was a productive member. She had her suspicions about the BSA's policy but the scout master told her,"Locally, we have no problem." When people who want to contribute to enriching young people are turned away, their experience, wisdom, and knowledge is turned away as well. The BSA is promoting a counter-intuitive policy by turning away leaders.