October 13, 2003 - "Scouting For All" Rally

Fourth Annual "Scouting For All" Rally.

A very successful Fourth Annual "Scouting For All" rally was held to protest against the local San Diego Boy Scouts Desert Pacific Council headquarters being located on government property in Balboa Park which they lease (a 40 year lease) for $1.00 per year and a $1,250.00 annual administration fee between the City of San Diego and the Boy Scouts of America.

Nationally, the Boy Scouts of America have argued all the way to the US Supreme Court (2000) for it's right to discriminate against atheist and gay youth and adults. Locally, the City of San Diego has passed its own ordinance that they will not do business with organizations that discriminate. Scouting For All is rallying for the immediate separation of these two organizations.

Our Fourth Annual Rally was our first year where the speaker line-up was from all segments of society: gay, bi-sexual, straight, transgender, and an atheist spoke at this year's rally.

Our speakers decried the Boy Scouts of America for its discriminatory membership policies, the fact that our nation is still struggling with equal right issues for adults as well as youth and the fact that the City of San Diego has renewed its lease to the Boy Scouts, December 2001, despite the City's own antidiscrimination policy.

Howard Menzer (Eagle Scout), who emceed the event, did a superb job explaining the purpose of Scouting For All and introduced each speaker with respect and dignity.

For those that don't know, Scouting For All is only asking to level the playing field; it is NOT a youth organization. Instead of the Boy Scouts of America's National Headquarters dictating membership policies for each local scout troop, Scouting For All only asks that the membership of local troop leaders and youth be determined by the local sponsoring institution and local parents. In other words, membership should be determined at the local level. A troop in a rural area, conservative area, or large city might have different types of leadership depending upon the sponsoring institution and parents of the youth. It's as simple as that.

Our keynote speaker, Darrell Lambert (Eagle Scout) was kicked out of the Boy Scouts because he admitted that he was a non-theist. Brenda Watson (Eagle Scout) spoke on behalf of the transgender community and spoke of keeping the light of truth and equality burning. It's interesting to note that Brenda is the first transgender Eagle Scout to speak out against the Boy Scouts of America.

In fact, this makes a good segue concerning transgender people. Transgender does not mean evil. It's a huge mistake to equate "different" with "you're weird." Transgender is an umbrella term that covers any person who identifies with the opposite gender. Some examples of transgender people include: cross-dressers, drag queens, transvestites, transsexuals [pre & post op.], and etc. Gender (male or female) is between your ears and sex is between your legs. Gender is how you feel in your head.

The Linda Bessemer, co-President of Parents and Friends of Lesbians & Gays (PFLAG, San Diego) spoke concerning her own grandson who will never be part of Scouting through no fault of his own because his mother is part of the GLBT community. Tawny & Nyla McCray, recited a poem written by their father, Ernie, concerning a gay man that Ernie knew when he was young. Tawny & Nyla spoke in sync, were a delight to listen to, and were absolutely hilarious.

Mick Rabin (a married straight school teacher) spoke of his experience as an Eagle Scout and the backing he has from his family and friends, in his quest for equality in the Boy Scouts of America. Mick turned in his Eagle badge to Scouting For All (National) several years ago, as he does not want to associate himself with a youth organization which promotes discrimination, bigotry and hate. His parents, wife and daughter were at the rally supporting him.

A large display of an Eagle Scout badge was signed by Eagle Scouts in attendance at the rally, as a symbol of their faith that one day there will be equality in the Boy Scouts of America.

The web designer for this site turned over his Eagle Scout badge to Scouting For All. Even though Mike felt proud at the time of earning Scouting's highest award, the award has now become a badge of shame for being associated with the Boy Scouts of America.

As always, the Desert Pacific Council (the local Boy Scouts in Balboa Park, San Diego) took down their sign (pictured to the right) in anticipation of our rally.

We would like to thank all those who attended the rally with their presence and donations. We would also like to thank those who stood up and spoke and entertained us with their beautiful stories and helped us to move forward in our fight to equality. Please join us at our next rally. Your presence is essential in carrying this fight until it's conclusion. Please see our NEWS/EVENTS link for this years rally information.

End of article.


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