Pride Profile: Juliette Faroe
"Scouting offers something unique to youth. Making it as inclusive as possible spreads that opportunity."
It’s been about 20 years since Juliette Faroe was involved in the Scouting program. But that doesn’t mean she has forgotten what Scouting taught her.
Faroe, who joined Cub Scouts and went on to earn her Eagle Scout in Maryland’s Troop 1444, stuck with the program even when she felt like an outcast. She says she continues to live by Scouting’s principles, especially as she’s gone on to live an authentic life as a trans woman.
I asked Faroe to reflect on her experiences in Scouting, and what she would like to see for its future.
Think back to your younger Scouting self, maybe as a first-time lodge officer. What would you tell that person?
Early in my Scouting days I struggled to fit in with my peers at first. Why, makes a whole lot more sense now than it did at the time. I loved what Scouting had to offer, especially the outdoors experience, but I saw myself quitting at one point because I felt like such an outcast. A great adult scout leader noticed and pushed me toward taking my first leadership position as troop guide. I gave it a chance and loved it. I really truly enjoyed helping guide new scouts and bonding with them.
So I would say to my younger self or others not to let others be the cause of you giving up anything you love or have aspirations toward. You might just outlast any of them in your career — Scouting or otherwise.
What future do you want to see for LGBTQ+ people in Scouting?
I’ve not been a part of Scouting for 20 years now since getting my Eagle and going off to college. So I haven’t seen all of the changes directly, but have seen news and know it has become more openly inclusive. I have put my experiences to use and continued to live principles I learned as best I can while giving back in other ways. I want anyone — no matter their sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity — to have the opportunities Scouting provides, while feeling safe and free to live authentically.
Why is Scouting worth it?
Scouting offers something unique to youth. The opportunities afforded are unlike any other youth organization and the experiences will stay with you for life. Making it as inclusive as possible spreads that opportunity, but is also valuable to the Scouts already involved who can learn from others life experiences and share their own.
Do you know an LGBTQ+ Scouter I should include in my next Pride Profile? Send me an email and let me know!
