Dear Boy Scouts: Fully commit to LGBT equality

>>> being married to an eagle scout is a wonderful thing. my husband can make fire in minutes and build a shelter for two with a rock and dried leaves and an armful of sticks and he will recite the boy scout oath for people without being prompted.

>> on my honor, i will do my best --

>> i on my honor i will do my best --

>> -- to do my duty to god and my country --

>> to do my duty to god and the my country --

>> and to obey the scout law .

>> and to obey people at all times.

>> to keep myself physically strong.

>> and morally straight.

>> yes.

>> it grooms young men to be leaders, and you can imagine my excitement this monday when the boy scouts announced that they may do away with the sexual orientation , sort of. h that is why my letter this week is to boy scout executive wayne brock. dear wayne , it is me, melissa. when i read the first part of the memo saying that you were going to remove the national membership restriction regarding sexual orientation . and i was like, yes, getting rid of the discriminatory barrier to allow those who love the boy sk scouts to support the work, and ensure quality of leadership that the great things that the boy scouts have to offer. then i read on. the policy change under discussion would allow the religious, civic or educational organizations that oversee and deliver scouting to determine how to address this issue. the boy scouts would not under any circumstances dictate a position to units, members or parents. under this proposed policy, the bsa would not require any chartered organization to act in ways that are inconsistent with that organization's missions, principles or religious beliefs . come on, wayne . that is one weaken dorsme mendorsement for policy change. instead of making a umbrella policy change, you leave the discretion to the 290 local governing councils and the 260,000 religious groups that sponsor scouting? cle clearly the policy that garnered 1.2 million online signatures was enough to make you say that you might do something, but not fully commit to it. wayne , the boy scouts of america website affirms this, scouting is truly a melting pot . scouts come from all walks of life and all types of family units, and faiths and ethnic groups , and they respect values of groups who encompass the scout laws and enables youth to live and learn as children and enjoy scouting without immersing them in the politics of the day. that is right, wayne . all boys can be helpful, and friendly and courteous and kind and thrifty and irreverent and for that, the boy scouts must welcome gay men and boys. time for you to follow the example of pioneers like dr. michael kahn who in 1991 led the first troop to openly resist your anti-gay policies or maybe follow the lead of other scouts, the girl scouts who have always been all inclusive and leaving the issue of sexual orientation to the girls and their families. that, wayne , is leadership. so instead of punting the ball at next week's meeting when the final policy may be made, you need to make a firmer stance and live up to your oath, because the boys and the future partners in life are counting on you. sincerely, melissa. so right now