10 August, 2001
                                             13415 SW 84th Avenue
                                             Pinecrest, FL 33156
                                             (305) 254-9317
                                             dmblcwl@aol.com

Boy Scouts of America
National Council 
P.O. Box 152079 
Irving, Texas 75015-2079

Dear National Council of Boy Scouts of America,

   A year ago the U.S. Supreme Court reaffirmed the Boy Scouts of America's 
standing as a private organization with the right to establish its own 
membership and leadership standards.  Specifically, this decision allowed
BSA the right to decline to admit homosexuals as leaders and members.  While
I agree with the Supreme Court in allowing a private group like BSA the
"right" to choose who can be members, the choice to not allow homosexuals
as leaders or members is not the "right" thing to do.

   The BSA National Council web page states:

     "We believe an avowed homosexual is not a role model for the 
      traditional moral values espoused in the Scout Oath and Law and 
      homosexual conduct is inconsistent with the values we wish to 
      instill."

   For myself, discussing Scouting and the implications of the Scout Oath 
and Scout Law brings back many wonderful memories during my time as a Cub 
Scout, a Boy Scout and a Sea Explorer.  I can honestly say that Scouting was 
the most fulfilling, instructive and fun part of growing up here in South
Florida.  The leadership skills that I developed as a Senior Patrol Leader 
and Eagle Scout are ones that have served me quite well in my career and
life so far.  If I had the opportunity to start over as a kid, I would
definitely go the same route again and join Boy Scouts.

   Sexuality of either the other Scouts or the leaders was really not an
issue.  We were just kids learning and having fun under the excellent
guidance of the Scoutmaster and assistants.  I didn't remember where in
either the Scout Oath or Law that it says that one must be a heterosexual,
so let's take a close look at them both now:

   Scout Oath                                Scout Law
   ----------                                ---------
   On my honor I will do my best             A Scout is
   to do my duty to God and my country       Trustworthy
   and to obey the Scout Law;                Loyal
   to help other people at all times;        Helpful
   to keep myself physically strong,         Friendly
   mentally awake, and morally straight.     Courteous
                                             Kind 
                                             Obedient 
                                             Cheerful 
                                             Thrifty 
                                             Brave 
                                             Clean 
                                             Reverent  
 

   None of these mention sexuality at all.  I'm guessing that someone has
decided that "morally straight" equals "heterosexual".  But Webster's 
Dictionary tells me that to be "moral" is to be "concerned with the 
distinction between right and wrong; ethical; virtuous; upright".  There is 
no sexual connotation in this phrase - only that one should be of good 
character.  With that in mind, I can easily identify many homosexual 
individuals that I know whom I believe to be "morally straight".  In
contrast, I can also point out several heterosexual people that are not.
  
   The point is that hiding behind the Scout Law and Oath as a way to 
discriminate against homosexuals is a red herring.  There is no good
reason that an otherwise qualified Scout or Leader should be removed
from Boy Scouts of America just because of their sexual orientation.  
(The idea that homosexuals are more likely to be child molesters than 
heterosexuals is simply not true.  Anyone who is a child molester
regardless of their sex or sexual orientation should be dealt with
harshly.)

   It is my opinion that Boy Scouts of America should reconsider their
discriminatory policy regarding homosexuals.  Yes, the Supreme Court has
given BSA the right to do so, but this is not the right thing to do.
Until BSA changes its stance, I am resigning from National Eagle Scout
Association and will not contribute any funds to BSA.  (After becoming
established down here in Miami, I began contributing funds to BSA in
1999 before the issue became public.)  Furthermore, my wife and I will not 
allow my son Mitchell William (who is just a couple of months old) to join
BSA when he is old enough.  This last part just about breaks my heart
because I know how many positive things I had gotten out of Scouting and I 
can easily see him enjoying Scouting as much as I did.  Please change the 
policy and include all boys as Scouts and men as Leaders, regardless of their 
sexual orientation.

   Sincerely,
   Christopher W. Landsea
   Eagle Scout, 1982, Troop 333, Miami, FL