The Boy Scouts of America Needs Female Leaders to Say “No” to “Yes Men”
By Gary Ireland
I’m a troop leader for the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) and a parent of scouts, including my daughter who is, yes, a full-fledged Scout. I’m also a huge proponent of the mission of the Boy Scouts. With the BSA holding its national Board meeting on 5/29 it’s time for the BSA to seek responsible leaders in order to restore the confidence who may be considering having their children join. They need to immediately elevate female leaders to the Board, to say “no” to “yes men”.
When the momentous announcement was made last year (NY Times, “Boy Scouts Will Drop the ‘Boy’ in Its Namesake Program, as It Welcomes Girls Next Year,” May 2, 2018), my whole family was overjoyed.
Our enthusiasm was short-lived when months later we were shocked to learn of a disturbing meme on Facebook, credited to an honor society adult Scout leader. The post declared that the Order of the Arrow had gone “FULL COED” accepting “Homosexual Boys”, “Transgendered Girls” [sic], “Homosexual Men”, and “Free Condoms at Jamboree.” A photo of my Scouting daughter was prominent, along with a BSA logo. The text read: “WE HAD A GREAT TIME GOING CAMPING.” “NOW I AM GOING TO BE A MOMMY!”
When the post surfaced, we were shocked, disturbed and frightened that an adult BSA leader would promote such offensive and disparaging words directed at a minor child. The BSA’s inaction that followed was more disturbing.
National BSA leadership failed to remove the cyberbully as a leader, not even keep us properly informed of its actions on the matter, and, instead, retaliated against her. Inaction and clipping wings of anyone who challenges its discriminatory policies is a best practice at BSA. Only after our elected officials stepped in aggressively — including Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney — did the BSA finally remove this cyberbully entirely.
I am disheartened that a veteran group founded on the beliefs of values-based, character-building and leadership for our youth, repeatedly fails to address incidents of abuse, harassment and retaliation. The BSA leadership needs to become leaders in creating diverse and safe environments for all our children.
Where is its commitment to honor? Where are the measures of scouting that I hold so high?
· The BSA must honor its promise to keep kids “safe, supported, and protected” by immediagely removing leaders who target children and must create systems for investigating and addressing claims of abuse
· The BSA must create a diverse board with women, racial/ethnic minorities, and people with diverse gender identities and sexual orientations
· The BSA must implement a meaningful policy of non-retaliation/whistleblower protections so victims of abuse and harassment are empowered to come forward
· The BSA must recognize accomplishments of the young female pioneers, including their rank advancement and merit badges earned during the BSA’s discriminatory membership ban on young women
· Finally, this storied organization must establish a clear roadmap for introducing young women into Scouting: education, real gender sensitivity training, and resources for troops and leaders.
With positive action (instead of reaction), this could be a new beginning for Scouting. I know it will be for our family.
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Gary Ireland 285 Avenue C, Apt. 9-E
New York, NY 10009
Contact Information: 917–743–3046 (m); or Gary@IrelandLaw.net
Gary Ireland is an employment lawyer/general counsel and Boy Scout leader in New York City with Troop 414