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In 1992, a father and his male partner, were both ejected from a dinner on a Cub Scout camp-out attended by their two sons. While the Cubmaster would allow the biological father to remain, he refused to allow the boys' other parent (who happens to be another man) to stay. (See newspaper article below) A similar incident occurred to a lesbian mother after her son joined the local Scout troop. Her story is available on this site. These two incidents demonstrate the problem for which BSA's policies do not contemplate. Society and family structures are changing. In the 1980's, BSA finally realized that the number of children being raised by single parents were growing. BSA belatedly adapted their programs and literature to reflect this change in America's families. In the 21st century, America's families are continuing to evolve. More gay parents are gaining custody of their children and gay men and lesbians are increasingly raising their own children (obtained via adoption, surrogacy, in vitro fertilization, etc.). While the policy against homosexuals apply to youth members and adult leaders, as Elliott Welsh found out, Scouting's first program (Tiger Cubs) requires the registration of an Adult Partner, normally one of the boy's parents. In the event a boy has two parents of the same-sex, BSA's policy would prohibit either of the boy's parents from being his Adult Tiger Partner, thus prohibiting the boy from participating in Scouting. Dan Savage wrote an excellent article on how BSA's policies has a negative impact on his family. In addition, as the below article illustrates, BSA has a double standard when it comes to sexual orientation. BSA National will applaud and support the decision of a Pack to refuse to allow both parents of a Scout to attend a Scouting event their child is participating, if they happen to be a same-sex couple. However, it has no problem in allowing single-parents from bringing their current live-in sexual partner, or even a leader from bringing his current sexual partner to a Scouting event, as long as that sexual partner is of the opposite sex.
GAY ISSUE RILES LOCAL SCOUTS by David Eddy March 28, 1992 Boy Scout leaders say they will call the police if an Oceano man brings his gay lover to any more Cub Scout pack meetings. Having the two men at pack meetings is a "disruptive influence," according to Tim Chamberlain, scout executive for the Santa Lucia Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America, which covers San Luis Obispo County. "He wouldn't hesitate a minute (to call the police)," Chamberlain said of Cubmaster Michael Creath of Pack 419. Creath could not be reached for comment. The problems surfaced last weekend, when Abraham Valencia brought his live-in companion to a Cub Scout camp-out that two of his sons were attending at Camp French. Valencia has one other son, and has had sole custody of the three boys for the past four years. The two men were only going to stay for dinner, said Valencia, "because we respect their (pack leaders') homophobia." But Cub Scout leaders wouldn't let the partner stay. According to Valencia, they said they'd received their direction from the national headquarters of Boy Scouts of America in Dallas, Texas. When contacted, Chamberlain read the scouts' position statement: "The Boy Scouts of America have emphasized traditional family values since the inception of the movement. We believe homosexuals do not provide a role model for scouts that is consistent with these traditional values. Accordingly, the Boy Scouts of America does not accept homosexuals as members or leaders." Though Valencia's partner is neither a member nor a leader, his presence clearly flies in the face of the Boy Scouts' position, said Chamberlain, and would be disruptive. "If people are going to grandstand and express opinions contrary to the Boy Scouts of America, he (Creath) has the right to uphold order." Chamberlain emphasized that Valencia, as a parent, is welcome to come. But his partner is not. The conflict reached the boiling point Wednesday night when Valencia and his partner took the two Cub Scouts, 11-year-old Kevin and 8-year-old Isaac, to the pinewood derby races at North Oceano Elementary School. Valencia's partner was told he had to leave. (The partner would not reveal his name, because he said the publicity might hurt his chance of getting a job.) "It got real nasty," said Valencia. "I was in the Army 10 years, and I can cuss quite a bit." If Valencia's partner was not welcome, the boys said they would leave too. But when they got home, Kevin said he got to thinking that the situation was like that of Rosa Parks, a black woman who played a key role in the civil rights movement. "It's like Mike (Creath) was white, and us being blacks and not willing to give up our seats on the bus," said Kevin. So they all marched back to the meeting and Valencia's partner was allowed to stay. But they were told he would not be welcome again. Valencia's partner said he kept quiet. "I was already too disgusted to say anything. I don't see why it's a problem for me to see what (Kevin and Isaac) are doing in the Cub Scouts," he said. Valencia said his partner is very involved in the boys' day-to-day lives, and functions much as a parent would, making their lunches, making sure they brush their teeth, and so on. Going to the meetings and sharing in the boys' achievements is just another normal part of life. "Besides," said the partner. "It's not like we're going to /do/ anything." Indeed, Valencia said that while he and his partner haven't even asked to go on camping trips, Creath has brought his girlfriend along on such outings. If morality is the issue, said Valencia, how can the scouts justify that behavior? Chamberlain said he wasn't aware of that and couldn't comment. The Boy Scouts of America have no policy on it, he said. There's one other aspect of the situation that bothers Valencia. While he doesn't have a problem with his partner being barred from meetings at the Cubmaster's home or any other private property, he doesn't think it's right to banish the man from pack meetings at North Oceano Elementary School. Scott Lathrop, assistant superintendent of business for the Lucia Mar School District, said he doesn't know whether Valencia's partner can be barred from attending meetings at the school. On one hand, the district certainly can't discriminate against anyone. On the other, the state Education Code mandates that the district make the school available to the scouts. "We're between a rock and a hard place," he said. Lathrop said the district's legal counsel is researching the matter, and should have an answer next week. If the district decides Valencia's partner must be admitted, Chamberlain said the pack will simply meet on private property. There is one thing that puzzles Valencia. He said there had never been a problem with his partner attending meetings until just recently. Just a month ago, the two men attended the Blue and Gold dinner, an annual scouting event, and no one said a word, Valencia related. And that's despite the fact that Creath and other parents knew the men were gay. Valencia said the problems began -- and he claims Creath confirmed it -- after Valencia's oldest son, 13-year-old Paul, spoke out in public about his father's homosexuality and was quoted in the next day's Telegram-Tribune. Paul Valencia stood up at the March 3 city council hearing on San Luis Obispo's gay rights law and said neither his father nor the rest of the family should have to suffer because his father is gay. "This is not what justice is all about in this society," said Paul, who is not gay. "The law should be passed because children of gay and lesbian parents should not be subjected to discrimination." Despite his plea, the law failed to pass. And because of it, his two younger brothers probably won't be Cub Scouts much longer. The two boys say they love scouting, but if it's a choice between remaining Cub Scouts and putting up with discrimination, or standing by their father's partner, they'll choose the latter. "It sounds like he (Creath) is trying to put up a big brick wall around him like he doesn't exist," said Kevin, nodding at his father's partner. "That's not right." |
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