Local Eagle Scout: Transgender boys should be allowed as Scouts

One local Eagle Scout says he supports the Boy Scouts of America, who said Monday that transgender boys should be allowed to join the organization.

Chris Bailey, 29, pastoral resident at First Presbyterian Church in Middletown, said the “leadership skills” taught in the Scouts are important and everyone should have access to them.

“Inclusion is always good,” said Bailey, a Greenville, S.C., native and Eagle Scout who has lived in Middletown for two years.

Troop 1 in Middletown meets at the church.

Under the new policy, which takes effect immediately, membership in Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts will be based on the gender indicated on an application. Previously, the organization relied on an individual’s birth certificate to determine eligibility for its single-gender programs.

“However, that approach is no longer sufficient as communities and state laws are interpreting gender identity differently, and these laws vary widely from state to state,” BSA spokeswoman Effie Delimarkos said in a statement Monday.

The change brings the Boy Scouts in line with other youth organizations, including the Girl Scouts, that have created transgender-friendly membership policies in recent years.

In a video on the Boy Scouts national website, Scout Executive Michael Surbaugh said the goal of the organization is to serve as many families as possible and to instill character and leadership qualities in its members.

He said the organization decided to change its stance on the “complex issue” of transgender after weeks of “significant conversations.”

Tom Dugar, executive director of the Dan Beard Council that serves all of Southwestern Ohio, agreed, saying the Scouts should be open to as many individuals as possible. He referred other questions to the national website.

Middletown’s Everett Sherron, 100, has been involved in Scouting for 70 years, serving with Troop 718 in many positions including Scout Master and Troop Committee Chairman. He has received many Scouting awards, including Eagle Scout, Silver Beaver, District Award of Merit, and the Vigil Honor of the Order of the Arrow.

Sherron said he never figured gender would be an issue regarding entrance into the Boy Scouts. When asked whether he agreed with the decision, Sherron said he didn’t want to comment.

The original case stems from a New Jersey’s family’s fight to allow their child to participate in Boy Scouts.

Joe Maldonado was born a girl but identifies as transgender. He was asked to leave his pack after parents and leaders found out he is transgender.

The BSA decision goes into effect immediately. In 2015, it lifted the ban on gay adults as Scout leaders. And three years ago it allowed openly gay youths to join scouting.

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