Robert Gates, the former Defense Secretary and current president of the Boy Scouts, has called for the ban on gay Boy Scout leaders to be revoked. Although he’s not requesting that the policy be immediately changed, he made it clear that the policy should be revised during this time of social progress.
Following Gates’ announcement, organizations can begin using their best judgment when hiring scout leaders. However, with 70% of the scout units sponsored by churches, it still seems unlikely that a significant number of gays will be hired for leadership positions.
How This Issue Extends Beyond the Boy Scouts
Discriminating laws continue to restrict the LGBT community from participating in certain activities. For example, this population is often limited in terms of adoption rights, marriage, and choosing which bathroom to use.
During the civil rights movement, Jim Crow laws discriminated the black population to no end. Seating on the bus, bathrooms, and water fountains were segregated-to name just a few. Discriminatory laws like these were deemed unconstitutional, and were eventually banned. But aren’t laws that restrict the LGBT community of the same caliber?
The ban on gay leaders in the Boy Scouts stems from the unprovoked myth that gay men are pedophiles. This ban only exemplifies this archaic view and directly contradicts Americans’ supposed view that every citizen is equal. Isn’t this also an employment discrimination violation? In every other organization or company, workers have the right to sue if they feel they are discriminated against based on their sexual orientation (in most states). Why should the Boy Scout organization be any different?
Putting the responsibility of hiring Boy Scout leaders on sponsoring organizations that mostly consist of churches creates a huge problem. Most Christian leaders have proven their distaste and disproval of the LGBT community. Putting them in charge of hiring leaders won’t change the existing policy. What will actually make a difference is putting a non-biased third party with no religious affiliation in charge of the hiring process. If Gates truly wanted to make a difference, he would demand that churches have no part in this decision.
The LGBT community is considered a second class group of people. Although our nation’s views have changed about the community, lawmakers are slow in the process of allowing them the same rights as every other citizen. These discriminatory policies are the Jim Crow laws of our time. The sooner lawmakers can see this and realize the need for change, the faster American citizens can live in harmony together.