Local Boy Scout Leader Resigns Following Council's Decision on Gay Members

ClarksvilleNow.com ^ | May 9, 2013 | ClarksvilleNow.com Reporting

[Kaslin]

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. - Bill Moser, who has been a scout leader in Clarksville for many years, has resigned his post Wednesday, May 8 after the Middle TN Boy Scout Council voted against allowing openly gay members.

The following is Moser’s letter of resignation, obtained by ClarksvilleNow:

"The Boy Scouts of America provides a program for young people that builds character, trains them in the responsibilities of participating citizenship, and develops personal fitness. I have been actively involved with scouting for over 50 years, and my personal experience with Scouting has reinforced my belief that helping youth is a key to building a more conscientious, responsible, and productive society. Teaching or practicing intolerance IS NOT in the Scout Oath or Law. The Scouting trail begins in the 1st Grade with the Tiger Cub program and ends at age 18 for youth participation.

I personally do not believe a six year old boy has a clue about sexuality. I also believe the policy advocated by the Middle Tennessee Council which would require Scout’s who discover they are Gay to either resign or violate the 1st Scout Law (Trustworthy) is WRONG.

I therefore RESIGN my position as Chairman of the Cogioba District Camping Committee and its associated Committee position on the Middle Tennessee Council’s Camping Committee."

Moser said he will continue to serve as Troop 500's Charter Organization Representative at the discretion of the Church's Session

[muawiyah]

Supervising homosexual teenagers or adult leaders on camping trips is difficult. They are driven to satisfy their urges by any and all means possible. You can’t keep up with them. Best way to deal with either is they stay home and leave you and others alone.

[hattend]

Fifty years a scout leader and never understood the scout motto.

Scout Oath...not motto

[BillyBoy]

>> I personally do not believe a six year old boy has a clue about sexuality. I also believe the policy advocated by the Middle Tennessee Council which would require Scout’s who discover they are Gay to either resign or violate the 1st Scout Law (Trustworthy) is WRONG. <<

But I thought they were "born that way"? Here you seem to be arguing that homosexuality DEVELOPS later in life. Which is it?

>> I therefore RESIGN my position as Chairman of the Cogioba District Camping Committee and its associated Committee position on the Middle Tennessee Council’s Camping Committee." <<

So you've known for years that the Boy Scouts don't allow openly gay scouts, but have decided to resign from the organization NOW? While you're at it, the United States government doesn't recognize gay marriage, either. Now might be a good time to renounce your citizenship in favor of a more inclusive country like Iceland

[rockinqsranch]

“Well, buh bye” should be the Scouts response IMO.

[JimRed]

...with a fondness for show tunes?

I LIKE my show tunes, but I only wear shoes with LACES! Loafers (especially the ones with the tassels) are for sissies!

[cyclotic]

There are going to be a whole lot more of these if BSA changes their membership policies, albeit from another perspective. Probably including mine. I will not be part of an organization that triumphs deviant behavior among youth.

[JoeFromSidney]

I will not be part of an organization that triumphs deviant behavior among youth.

Same here. I'm a Merit Badge counselor. I'll resign from that if the BSA allows queers in.

[ExCTCitizen]

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. - Bill Moser, who has been a scout leader in Clarksville for many years, has resigned his post Wednesday, May 8 after the Middle TN Boy Scout Council voted against allowing openly gay members.

Interesting....I have a friend from Clarksville who was molested by a scout leader... I should ask him if this was the guy!!

[dfwgator]

It’s one thing if a Scout who happens to be gay, keeps it low key, and otherwise performs all of the duties and doesn’t make his sexuality a big deal.

But we all know that is not how it works, they will demand that the Troop accomodate their sexuality and celebrate it.

[Mr. K]

Good Riddance

i think many more would resign if they DID accept homos

[broken_arrow1]

Bye!!!

[cyclotic]

I’m a Scoutmaster, troop founder, father of Life (working on Eagle) and Star Scouts.

Sick and upset beyond belief. Add depressed, dejected, disappointed, furious, angry, disbelieving and probably a few others.

[Londo Molari]

Common sense says you would not put a heterosexual man in charge of teen girls on campouts. Likewise, men who are attracted to other men shouldn’t be put in charge of teen boys on campouts. Simple!

[wbill]

accomodate their sexuality and celebrate it.

yep. They'll not ever be satisfied.

From intolerance, to tolerance.

From tolerance, to accomodation.

From accomodation, to acceptance.

From acceptance, to applause.

[Kazan]

Don’t let the tent fold and one of its posts stab you in the ass on the way out.

[MacNaughton]

The ~294 local councils will send their voting delegations (a minimum of 3 each per council) to the annual National Council biz meeing in 2 weeks. Since BSA National announced its new inclusive homosexual youth membership resolution, local council executive boards have been meeting to decide how their delegations should vote.

4/11/2013 - The AZ and TN state legislatures unanimously passed resolutions in support of the BSA and its current exclusive membership policy.

4/19/2013 - The BSA National Executive Committee announced its new membership resolution which would permit open homosexual youth to join BSA but not open homosexual adults.

4/23/2013 – The Los Angeles Area Council submitted a recommendation and membership resolution to BSA National which advocated acceptance of both open homosexual youths and adults into BSA.

4/24/2013 - BSA Northeast Region Executive Vice President Jay Lenrow submitted a resolution to end BSA’s longstanding ban on adult homosexual leaders.

4/25/2013 - Rick Barnes, council scout executive for the Great Salt Lake Council, said, "The executive committee for the council will meet on May 8 to discuss the proposed BSA resolution and the statement by the LDS Church."

4/29/2013 – The Silicon Valley Monterey Bay Council executive board announced it would cast 4 votes FOR the membership resolution to admit open homosexual youth members and 1 vote against the resolution.

4/29/2013 – The Sam Houston Area Council executive board announced it would AGAINST the membership resolution to admit open homosexual youth members.

5/06/2013 - Hugh Travis, council scout executive for the Middle Tennessee Council, announced the council excutive board delegation would vote AGAINST the membership resolution to admit open homosexual youth members.

One article I read said that 2 local councils in NY state announced they would vote FOR the membership resolution to admit open homosexual youth members. But the councils were not identified. Anyone out there know which 2 they are?

Everyone, please post any notices you see about how local councils intend to vote. Thank you.

[MacNaughton]

5/08/2013 - The Great Salt Lake Council issued the following statement on the subject of the membership resolution after its council executive board met and voted on the matter:

“We acknowledge and commend the BSA for seeking input from membership at all levels as well as public input on Scouting and its membership policy. We are appreciative of the opportunity to participate in the process and that our voice was heard. … “Also, we believe that ‘Duty to God’ and moral behavior must continue to be core values of the Scout Oath and Law, as the proposed resolution indicates. This morning the Great Salt Lake Council unanimously passed a motion to allow each of our 15 voters to vote their conscience as to what is in the best interest of our youth members, the council, and the BSA. … “We will work closely with our Scouting family and remain totally committed to Scouting’s mission and delivering our quality programs to more than 100,000 members and leaders.”