Anniversary tarnished by discrimination

As an Eagle Scout who served in youth and adult leadership positions, I will always value scouting [“Scouts from boys to men carry oath on,” NWSunday, Feb. 7]. It shaped my life and I was honored to help bring scouting to others.

Yet the 100th anniversary is a hollow celebration for me because the Boy Scouts of America have — since 1991 — adopted discriminatory and exclusionary policies. These policies deny gay youth and adults the opportunity to participate in scouting — just as “don’t ask, don’t tell” denies gays the opportunity to defend our country. Both policies are wrong and both deserve to be changed.

I joined the Boy Scouts over 50 years ago and know many gay scouts who met my definition of “morally straight.” The Scout Oath and its values are clear to me: They are about your own character and that you should respect and defend the rights of others. This does not mean sexually straight.

Society is changing and scouting’s relevance is tarnished by their discriminatory policies. The Girl Scouts, Campfire USA and the 4-H Club do not have such policies; The Boy Scouts shouldn’t either. The 100th anniversary should provide the opportunity for the Boy Scouts to end these discriminatory policies.

— John Chaney, Fall City