A final invitation to Morally Straight, the event
Join us this Sunday, May 23rd for conversation and community, reflecting on the eight years since the Boy Scouts of America ended its ban on gay youth.
Good morning, readers.
This month I’ve told you stories about the leaders, activists and scouts who are doing their best to make Scouting an inclusive place for the LGBTQ+ community.
In the years since the ban on gay youth fell in 2013, policies have continued to change, culture has evolved in fits and starts, and youth all over the country are simply trying to find their place in this program.
On Sunday, May 23rd, hundreds of scouts and allies will gather (virtually) to reflect and talk about all of that: where we’ve been and where we are going.
So this is my final invitation, my hard sell for you to join us this weekend. You can register here, and we’d really love to see you there. (It’s free!) Our program will include:
- A brief history about how the Boy Scouts’ ban on gay youth came to be, how it came to an end, and where we’ve been since then.
- A live interview with Zach Wahls, co-founder of Scouts for Equality, focused on learning more about his advocacy and his hopes for the organization.
- A conversation in small breakout rooms where you’ll have the opportunity to meet new members of the community, share your experiences and imagine a better, more inclusive future for the BSA.
Why should you attend? Well, there are different reasons for different people, but here’s what folks have told us so far about why this event is meaningful to them:
“All those who want to be a part of Scouting should have the opportunity to be a part of this community.”
“I have a troop that identifies on various parts of the LGBTQ+ spectrum. I want to do everything I can to help them.”
“I had to be closeted as a youth. I never want that for another youth again.”
“Every out and proud person in this movement is one more step toward progress and equality for all our members.”
“Scouting's values are for everyone. While much progress has been made, we still have much to do to reach true inclusion.”
For me personally, learning our history and connecting with our community have been immensely transformative experiences. It’s helped me embrace my queer identity and understand my place in this story.
Our opportunities for this kind of conversation and community are few and far in between. Don’t miss this one.
