Just out., August 01, 2012, Page 14, Image 14

by Courtney O'Donnell
VOICES
In Transit
Tossed Overboard
If you blinked, you might have missed it in
the local news. The Boy Scouts of America
(BSA) got another very public black eye
and this time it was an order from the Or-
egon Supreme Court for the public release
of their “perversion files” — a 20-year record
of suspected child molesters from within the
BSA not shown to anyone outside the orga-
nization.
So, what does this
have to do transgen-
der individuals? Ap-
parently, a lot. But
first, a quick back
story.
Staff Photo
The BSA won a
court victory a few
years back that le-
gally allowed them
to exclude LGBT
people from partici-
pating in the Scouts.
This, of course, was
a relatively huge set-
back for LGBT ac-
tivists. However, the
BSA paid dearly for
this victory as nega-
tive public reaction
dried up their usual
sources of operating
funds as organiza-
tions distanced themselves from this legalized discrimina-
tion — United Way comes quickly to mind as they prompt-
ly cut the Scouts off.
Since the court victory however, the BSA has been hammered
with sex abuse allegations and related court cases, including
a recent $18.5 million payout to a local victim in Portland,
Oregon. That case involved former assistant Scoutmaster
Timur Dykes who has admitted to molesting at least 17 boys.
It was the Dykes case that attracted media attention to
the existence of the “perversion files” — supposedly 1,200
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names and 20,000 pages. Media organizations, including
The Oregonian and The New York Times, filed a lawsuit
to get the files released. While the BSA fought to keep the
files sealed, a Multnomah County judge, and later upon an
appeal from the BSA, the Oregon Supreme Court, ordered
the files released.
When I first wrote about the Oregon Supreme Court rul-
ing, I was a bit surprised at the comments that came in; a
fair number of trans people noted they were former Boy
Scouts, some even reaching the highest rank, Eagle Scout.
Many went on to leadership roles. All this was surprising
to me. I did not think boys with gender identity questions
would be inclined to participate. Yet many remember their
days with the Boy Scouts fondly.
“I was a Boy Scout and obtained Eagle, held tons of
leadership roles as a youth..." "I'm an Eagle too...I am a
closeted transgender Eagle Scout..." "I am a Life Scout
and have been staff on several leadership courses..."
"I was a Life scout too, and have had several leadership
positions. . . .”
At the same time, others are saying this: “...shameful to
admit to being a part of the organization." "... reports
like this make me ashamed to be an Eagle Scout." "I feel
ashamed to admit I was ever a part of the Boy Scouts...”
The pattern is quite clear. Many trans people found the
Boy Scouts worthy of enthusiastic participation earlier in
their lives only later finding themselves perplexed after be-
ing tossed overboard by the BSA’s anti-LGBT stance. Now
they are disgusted with the BSA’s handling of sex abuse in-
cidents within the organization.
While there are those that are quietly working to persuade
the BSA to change their stance on LGBT members, I’d say
there’s been a setback. For those of you looking to partici-
pate in some form of scouting activity, look no further than
the Girl Scouts. They’re on record of welcoming both trans
kids and adults.
In Transit is written by Courtney O’Donnell for Just Out, Courtney is a
Transgender actress, advocate, and writer, including being a regular
contributor to The Huffington Post. She is also the star of the film 'Lexie
Cannes'. Reach her at JustOut.com.
August 2012