Ah, the smell of the wood fire. The cozy tent. The bedroll on the lumpy ground. Such are the memories of the Scouts. Some of us have other memories as well, especially those of adolescent gropings under cover of helpful darkness in the two-person tent (MFoD, being somewhat naive, declined to participate when asked), with the adults keeping apart and (willfully?) ignorant. Whatever happened to those halcyon times? Alas, the Religious Right (RR) happened, those purveyors of intolerance who have sunk their claws into a once innocent community. They would not abide MFoD and her ilk today.
When the RR took over the BSA, they imposed two rules: one must believe in God, and one must be heterosexual. These twin demands have brought, as did the lightning bolt of the Fall from Grace, knowledge to the Scout. The once innocent gropings (which do not really arise from sexual urges, more from curiosity) have been exposed and condemned; the tent now contains a metaphorical night light and a Supreme overseer. Even the young Cub Scout is faced with theism and heterosexism when his time would be much better spent collecting leaves and wading in streams. The older Scout, especially when his sexuality (with its often attendent concerns about being homosexual) awakens, finds himself in a conundrum concerning his membership in the organization. He must dissemble. He must cover over his insecurities. He must betray himself. Such a betrayal, even by a Scout who is, in the end, heterosexual, leaves a bitterness that can never be sweetened. And the RR has brought him that bitterness.
Traditionally, Scout leadsership demands quite a few skills and qualities: a sterling character, patience, knowledge of Scouting lore, inventiveness, chastity concerning the boys (a predator will never do), among many others. To this list the RR has imposed a belief and an urge. The belief must encompass a deity recognized as such to the BSA leadership, and the urge must be for the vagina. The other characteristics in the list above were not enough, and the gay Scout Leader, although possessed of all the qualities in that list, and more, has been judged accordingly. The impervious donjon of conformity stands even when one of the leaders themselves was found to have amassed a considerable amount of child pornography.
However, there is hope, seen in such organizations as "Scounting For All," led by a tolerant and accepting heterosexual young man. Once these clearer heads become the dominant force in the world of Scouting, once again the campsite will be as innocent as the Garden of Eden.
When the RR took over the BSA, they imposed two rules: one must believe in God, and one must be heterosexual. These twin demands have brought, as did the lightning bolt of the Fall from Grace, knowledge to the Scout. The once innocent gropings (which do not really arise from sexual urges, more from curiosity) have been exposed and condemned; the tent now contains a metaphorical night light and a Supreme overseer. Even the young Cub Scout is faced with theism and heterosexism when his time would be much better spent collecting leaves and wading in streams. The older Scout, especially when his sexuality (with its often attendent concerns about being homosexual) awakens, finds himself in a conundrum concerning his membership in the organization. He must dissemble. He must cover over his insecurities. He must betray himself. Such a betrayal, even by a Scout who is, in the end, heterosexual, leaves a bitterness that can never be sweetened. And the RR has brought him that bitterness.
Traditionally, Scout leadsership demands quite a few skills and qualities: a sterling character, patience, knowledge of Scouting lore, inventiveness, chastity concerning the boys (a predator will never do), among many others. To this list the RR has imposed a belief and an urge. The belief must encompass a deity recognized as such to the BSA leadership, and the urge must be for the vagina. The other characteristics in the list above were not enough, and the gay Scout Leader, although possessed of all the qualities in that list, and more, has been judged accordingly. The impervious donjon of conformity stands even when one of the leaders themselves was found to have amassed a considerable amount of child pornography.
However, there is hope, seen in such organizations as "Scounting For All," led by a tolerant and accepting heterosexual young man. Once these clearer heads become the dominant force in the world of Scouting, once again the campsite will be as innocent as the Garden of Eden.
Image: Campfire Films, UK, 2006
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