Gay men and Scouting
This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Is a gay scoutmaster really a good idea? Did you ever think that maybe it's not so wise or responsible for a gay individual to place himself in such a position, even if he did excel as a great example of humanity?
I firmly believe that gay individuals have a right not to be discriminated against, and many would undoubtedly make great scoutmasters. Still, I would hate to be the gay scoutmaster who faces false accusations from a disgruntled youth. Regardless of innocence or guilt, it would be an expensive defense and a huge personal risk, especially in this state.
Peter A. Orum
Salt Lake City