Pride Profile: Brandon Etz

In today’s Pride Profile, I’d like to introduce you to Brandon Etz, an eagle scout and arrowman from St. Louis, Missouri. I asked him to reflect on his experience as a gay scout, and what he’d like to see in Scouting’s future.

Think back to your younger Scouting self, maybe as a first-time lodge officer. What would you tell that person?

Above all, I would confidently tell my younger self: YOU are going to BE and will always BE your prime advocate. Do not wait for other's validation in order to start exploring.

During the process of creating your individual path to success, you must always have the mentality "do what's right for everyone — not just the majority.” Stay connected with your dearest friends, as your network will be your strongest asset. As you start to find ways to get more involved throughout life, you will naturally gravitate towards positivity and what makes you happy. Do not hold back feelings when it comes to speaking your mind. When hearing other's opinions, it's equally important to be attentive as it is compassionate.

Find ways to mitigate conflict when you can. Always remember the Scout Motto: Be prepared. Please do not waste your time on people that will hinder your ability to lead or silence your opinions. Celebrate the little things in life and take advantage of every opportunity you can get.

What future do you want to see for LGBTQ+ people in Scouting?

The future of Scouting is slowly becoming a future where everyone is able to share with others their true authentic self. Time is far too valuable to be wasted on repressing feelings and holding back emotions. I want a future where LGBT+ members can be comfortable expressing themselves free of judgement. In addition, I want a future where allies can feel comfortable asking questions as it relates to educating themselves on the LGBTQ+ community. The servant leaders of today are counting on the future volunteers of Scouting to be strong willed and charismatic.

Why is Scouting worth it?

Scouting is a program that creates forward-looking leaders that work to spread the mission of what it means to be a model citizen. Scouting creates lifelong friendships that will not only support you in times of need, but will also celebrate your individual milestones.

What else should I know about your Scouting story?

I can confidently say that the Scouting program has created the charismatic leader I am today. As it relates to my professional career, the leadership opportunities in Scouting have given me a head start in developing the essential soft skills needed to be an outstanding employee.

Programming note: To my wonderful paid subscribers, I know I owe you a deep dive this month. Things have been quite busy behind the scenes, and a (mild) case of Covid took me out for a couple of weeks. I promise I’ll be in your inbox with something special soon!