The future of scouting is here— Gay Boy Scouts and adult volunteers wore their uniforms Sunday June 2nd 2013 as they marched in Utah's gay pride parade — defying a leader of the youth organization who had said they couldn't do so under the organization's guidelines prohibiting advocating political or social positions.
Peter Brownstein, a Scoutmaster in Salt Lake City who helped organize the Boy Scouts participation in the march, said a few adults and youth marched at the front of the parade in uniform, including a Cub Scout, a Boy Scout and his stepdad, an Eagle Scout, who borrowed a uniform to wear, and an Asst. Scoutmaster.
"Scouting was meant for a young man's journey into manhood not for a gay man's journey into their own agenda! I still don't know why gays are so bent on ruining every single organization in America for their own personal agenda! Why do boy scouts need to be labeled as "gay scouts" or even associated with gays? Scout Oath says it all— On my honor, I will do my best To do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law; To help other people at all times; To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight. The LDS churches response is a great breakdown for what the Boy Scouts already stood for. There has never been discrimination towards scouts for their sexual orientation. Scouting was to be a focus on personal growth and morals, not for those who wish to have a spotlight placed upon them because of their sexual orientation."
For the past 100 years, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has enjoyed a strong relationship with the Boy Scouts of America, based on their mutual interest in helping boys and young men understand and live their duty to God and develop upright moral behavior. As the Church moves forward in its association with the Boy Scouts of America, Church leaders will continue to seek the most effective ways to address the diverse needs of young people in the United States and throughout the world.
The Church’s long-established policy for participation in activities is stated in the basic instructional handbook used by lay leaders of the Church: “young men … who agree to abide by Church standards” are “welcomed warmly and encouraged to participate” This policy applies to LDS Church-sponsored Scout units. Sexual orientation has not previously been—and is not now—a disqualifying factor for boys who want to join Latter-day Saint Scout troops. Willingness to abide by standards of behavior continues to be our compelling interest.
The Boy Scouts of America: An Organization for Boys Not for the Gay Agenda!
http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/church-responds-to-boy-scouts-of-america-policy-vote
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