The UK Scout Association has revealed plans that show it is an organization that moves with the times, it’s bidding to increase its amount of gay members and leaders it has.
They are hoping the move will banish the idea that gay people would not be welcome among its half-a-million-strong ranks, an anti-bullying video has been made and plans are in motion that would allow scouts to wear their uniforms to Gay Pride marches and parades.
This is a brave step forward to an organisation that only opened it’s doors to girls at the start of the 90’s. Inevitably, the idea has been criticised by those who claim this move will shift the focus away from the Association’s “Christian Values”.
The video for Stonewall, Wayne Bulpitt, the Scout’s Chief Commissioner says: “Bullying is wrong on every level, not just for the person being bullied, but for the bully too. In Scouting we believe that all young people, irrespective of their sexuality, gender, race, creed or background, have an equal opportunity to develop and to be themselves.”
In a statement the Association’s spokesman, Simon Carter, told us “There was an assumption that being gay meant you couldn’t be part of the movement. That was never the case and we are keen to make it clear that we accept people of any particular orientation. We have had youth members and adults attend Pride events and plan to do so again this year. It shows that we are not just taking about it but are demonstrating our support publicly.”
There has been a programme of education with some advisory leaflets being produced for those counselling young people. One says: “Coming out is a major decision in your life. You may decide to tell your family, a friend, your teacher or a Scout leader. There is nothing wrong with being gay and being a Scout and the person that you tell should be supportive and non-judgemental to what you are telling them.”
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