If parents are made uncomfortable by such a thing, maybe the Boy Scouts will make an accommodation, as they did with girls, and start a special mixed troop. Or maybe it won't. But then we must do our part. If gay boys and gay men aren't let into the Boy Scouts of America, then we must start our own troops. We must teach leadership to our own children, gay and straight, in our own way.
Many minority groups have such a thing on large and small scales.
We don't, but we should. This issue is not simply one of discrimination, but of raising children of character, courage and spirit. Far better for us to step in and do the job ourselves. Return to top Copyright 2001 and earlier dates by Independent Gay Forum Inc. and the individual authors. Reproduction in whole or in part requires prior written permission.