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I Am Saddened By The Path Of Discrimination Scouting Has Taken

I started Boy Scouts at some point when I was younger, I really forget when, it was long ago. I was in a scout group in New Mexico for about 2 or 3 years. I can remember many great memories from it. I remember they archery practice, the summer camps, the activities, but most of all the togetherness. I didn't know then that I was gay, I didn't even know what 'gay' and 'homosexual' meant. But now at 17, long out of Scouting, having been exposed to the prejudice and the discrimination I cringe to think that everything I learned in Scouting doesn't seem to matter to the BSofA. Scouting taught me about how to get along with everybody, how to be respectful and how to treat others as I wanted to be treated. I just do not understand why the BSofA is being so discriminatory, and being a former scout, I am hurt, and I certainly would not have my children in a group that t! olerates that kind of exclusion. I really do hope that the BSofA will change their policy and realize that what they're doing is wrong, and goes against what they claim to be teaching. A lot of thanks and respect certainly to all those organizations working for equality in scouting! Thank you,

Matthew Swanson