Hi, I am a scoutmaster of a small troop. I was a scout in the 70's, and an adult scouter in the 00's. I think journalists look for the sensational and the controvercial to report on, in part because it sells and in part because the journalists see themselves as "agents of change."

The BSA stance on gays is that sexuality is not part of our program, that sex is something left to the family, their church and their schools. They do not want Scouting to be a forum on any sexual issue. That is at the national level. At the local level, we feel we have a duty to help boys develop in morals and character, in citizenship, and in fitnes of body, mind, and soul. We do not even address sexual issues. If a boy asked me about anything sexual, I would refer him to his parents, his pastor, and his teachers, in that order.

On the other hand, we as adults have to constantly be watching for sexual predators who eye our organization as the perfect hunting ground. I know that in the 70's the BSA was in danger of being sued out of existance because of hurt and broken boys, victims of sexual predators. At that time they cleaned house and instituted stringent youth protection policies and the structure to investigate perpetrators.

If it came right down to it, a gay man might be a leader at the local level if he really did the "Don't Ask, Don't tell" stuff. A gay activist could not do this. A gay parent might, if he were just doing the activities for his son, not for his "cause."

I suggest you go volunteer to work with a local troop and see what it is they do. Scouting is about the boys. It is not a soapbox for issues. It is not a political party. We are much more concerned that boys getting into the political process than choosing one side or another.