It's about time that Scouting WOKE up

[Eagledad]

32 minutes ago, FireStone said:

Why would they? Parents have to fill out the form, if they're coming to a girls troop and checking the female box, that's good enough for me. 

What if the youth wants to be in the other gender program? 

Barry

[InquisitiveScouter]

1 hour ago, FireStone said:

I'm not checking birth certificates and trans youth are welcome in my troop, you think that's abuse. We're miles apart ideologically. 

I'm good with where I'm at on this, alongside the many councils that have officially expressed the same stance. 

If you think this is abuse, you probably should report it. 

Be very careful.

If, Janey (who is really Jimmy) is in a tent with Jenny, and Jenny's parents do not know that Janey is Jimmy, then if Jimmy's jimmy gets seen by Jenny, then you may have a law suit on your hands.

And when they subpoena your computer, this thread may be used against you for damages.

You'd best inform all parents involved, and allow them to determine what is best for their youngsters.

[Eagledad]

1 hour ago, InquisitiveScouter said:

Be very careful.

If, Janey (who is really Jimmy) is in a tent with Jenny, and Jenny's parents do not know that Janey is Jimmy, then if Jimmy's jimmy gets seen by Jenny, then you may have a law suit on your hands.

And when they subpoena your computer, this thread may be used against you for damages.

You'd best inform all parents involved, and allow them to determine what is best for their youngsters.

I can't tell the motive, but Inquisitivescout points out rightly the risk of being all things to all scouts in this culture. Especially in a program where camping is the arena.

What I find fascinating is that both sides of the cultural spectrum believe theirs is the best approach for the growth and maturity of youth going into adulthood.

Barry

[InquisitiveScouter]

37 minutes ago, Eagledad said:

I can't tell the motive, but Inquisitivescout points out rightly the risk of being all things to all scouts in this culture. Especially in a program where camping is the arena.

What I find fascinating is that both sides of the cultural spectrum believe theirs is the best approach for the growth and maturity of youth going into adulthood.

Barry

Here is my motive:

I have my own opinions, but I would never foist them on the rest of the Troop.

In January 2017, when BSA said they would allow transgender boys in the program, we presented the issue to the Chartered Organization (CO).  The CO (in their regular meeting with the Institution Head (IH)) said they would fully support allowing transgender boys in Troop, but they left the decision up to the parents and the leaders who are doing the job.  We then had an "all hands" meeting with parents.  About 35 attended, out of  70ish.  We presented the choice to them, and the decision was unanimous... we would not accept transgender boys into the Troop, as this did not align with the way they wanted their boys raised and educated.  (In back room discussions, several families let me know that if the group chose to accept them, they would leave Scouting.)

In October 2017, when the opportunity arose to create a separate girls Troop (starting 01 February 2019), we presented our CO with the option.  The CO (in their regular meeting with the IH) said they would fully support a girls Troop.  We then had another "all hands" meeting with parents.  About 35 attended, out of  70ish (basically the same folks).  We presented the choice to them of

1.  Remain a boy only Troop

2. Start a girls Troop and share "committees" and gear for support

3. Keep boys and girls programs and support separate (if someone else started a girls Troop there)

They chose #1.

Last fall/winter, after BSA ended the "pilot" mixed Troop, and gave the option for Troops to be combined, we, once again, informed our CO of the development.  Once again, the CO gave support, but deferred to the Troop adults actually doing the work, and parents whose responsibility it it to safeguard their child's upbringing.  Once again, we met with parents.  And, once again, they chose to remain a boy only Troop.

Our parents run the spectrum from left to right.  When the decisions actually "hit home", and would affect their won sons, it was amazing that, unanimously, they chose to go the way they did.  Their was no dissent, and no one felt offended nor decided to leave the Troop because of these decisions.

I stick to the program, and let parents make well-informed choices for their Scouts.  They all appreciate the transparency, and the acknowledgement that others may believe differently.

Although it has not happened, our collective approach, if a transgender boy applied to our unit, would be to welcome them to Scouting, but steer them to another Troop more suited to their situation.  (And we have good rapport with that other Troop.)

Our Scout Executive was perfectly fine with this approach.

Edited 45 minutes ago by InquisitiveScouter

[Eagledad]

12 minutes ago, InquisitiveScouter said:

Here is my motive:

I have my own opinions, but I would never foist them on the rest of the Troop..................................................................................................

Well done.

Barry

[FireStone]

2 hours ago, InquisitiveScouter said:

Be very careful.

If, Janey (who is really Jimmy) is in a tent with Jenny, and Jenny's parents do not know that Janey is Jimmy, then if Jimmy's jimmy gets seen by Jenny, then you may have a law suit on your hands.

Why would I have a lawsuit on my hands? I'm just doing what my Council is doing, we're continuing to sign up kids and not checking birth certificates.