Every year when Pride rolls around, I have the urge to whip up some special features for this newsletter.

I’ve done that in past years—and I’m glad I did—but I also feel like every month is Pride month here at Morally Straight. I never stop writing and sharing stories about the LGBTQ+ community in Scouting. So really, June isn’t much different.

That being said, I do have some Pride-related content from the vault that you might want to dig into this month. 🌈 So pull up a chair, and let’s get into it.

How to march at Pride with your Scouting unit

Back in January, I put together a guide to answer a question that comes up a lot: Can Scouting units march in Pride parades, and if so, how?

The answer is yes: BSA units having been marching at Pride for years (decades?) and have plenty of wisdom to share. The main takeaways:

• Participating in Pride should be motivated, if not led, by the youth in your unit.
• While explicit permission from council leadership isn’t always required to march in Pride, it might set your mind at ease to seek it anyway.
• If you’re unsure about how to participate in Pride, try starting with the color guard. It’s a natural extension of what scouts are already learning, and would likely be welcome by the event organizers.

So if you’re already signed up for a Pride event this year, or are looking to participate next year, give this article a read.

How to navigate LGBTQ+ inclusion (and politics) at summer camp

Pride month also means that summer camp is fast-approaching for scout troops. And it’s important that—even if you’re not attending in June—your unit finds an inclusive and affirming space where scouts can be out and proud.

I recently spoke with a few adult scouters about how they are navigating a fraught cultural landscape to find camp environments that work for them. They gave me tips on vetting potential camps, and ensuring inclusion once you get there. The main takeaways:

• Decisions on summer camp should be youth-led. Allow them to weigh different factors—including, if they want, politics and inclusion—when deciding where to enroll.
• State-level politics don’t necessarily translate to camp cultures. Even in states notorious for anti-LGBTQ legislation, you may find individual camps that are accepting.
• Do your due diligence to vet a camp before attending for the first time. Talk to council and camp leadership to gauge their commitment to inclusion.

Read the full article to prepare yourself for camp, or stash away some tips for next summer.

What to do when a scout comes out to you

While National Coming Out Day is not until October, the month of June is also a wonderful time of year when many LGBTQ+ folks choose to share their truths.

You might find yourself on the receiving end of a coming-out, which is an absolute honor and joy that you should cherish. But you should also be prepared to respond appropriately and support the person who comes out to you. Some pro tips:

• Don’t make the conversation about you.
• Share gratitude, love and support.
• Be mindful of privacy.
• Be an active listener.
• Offer help and resources.
• Check in and stay connected.

If you want more advice, learn more by reading my full guide here.

A reading list from the archive

If you’re like me, and you just enjoy reading queer stories for the sake of it, I’d also point you to some of my favorite Pride-related articles from the archive:

• The inside story behind the BSA’s first pride-themed social media post, recognizing and affirming the organization’s LGBTQ+ members.
• How one Boy Scout council went above and beyond with its Pride month statement—and backed it up with tangible actions.
• Why raising the Pride flag at a BSA council office is not only a symbol of progress, but a message that members of the LGBTQ+ community are welcome.
• Finding my place in Pride: As a queer Eagle Scout, I often feel torn between the relatively moderate space of the BSA, and the more radical streams of queer activism.