Pride Profile: Zach Herzog
"As an organization that trains young leaders, having queer perspectives as part of the conversation will make the leadership and community of Scouting a more rich and holistic experience."
Zach Herzog didn’t struggle much with his sexuality when he was in Scouting.
“I really think that the spotlight I felt like I was under (from the time I was [senior patrol leader], to lodge chief, to region trainer) kept me from thinking about sex or dating much at all,” Herzog told me.
But years later, when he came out as gay in his twenties, he was grateful for the relationships he built in Scouting — the friends and mentors who supported him fully.
I asked Herzog to tell me more about his perspective as a gay man in Scouting. The interview below has been edited and condensed for clarity.
Think back to your younger Scouting self, maybe as a first-time lodge officer. What would you tell that person?
I'd definitely say: “You have so much to offer. You are good enough, just the way you are! You have no one to impress. You are so loved and you have what it takes to be wildly successful!” And I'd probably add: "Maybe slow down and enjoy yourself a bit more.”
What future do you want to see for LGBTQ+ people in Scouting?
Queerness has so much to offer every aspect of society. We live in a world of such binary thinking, and so much of this has been encoded in the ways we talk about leadership and service in the world. LGBTQ+ folks have an entirely unique perspective that can help us see new ways of being, leading, relating and working together in the world. Queerness helps us see that there are so many options and possibilities. As an organization that trains young leaders, having queer perspectives as part of the conversation will make the leadership and community of Scouting a more rich and holistic experience. It will make the Scouting skill set even more relevant and needed in the world.
Why is Scouting worth it?
Scouting is a space where young people are able to explore identity formation and learn fundamental relationship and leadership skills. The friends I made in Scouting are still some of my best friends. And the ways I learned to think about planning, organizing, communicating and serving as a leader have profoundly shaped my vocational journey.
Programming note: I will be on vacation next week (riding my bike from Albany to Buffalo, wish me luck!) so there will not be a newsletter. I’ll be back in your inbox on June 10.
