LGBTQ Parenting Roundup
Here’s what’s happening that I haven’t covered elsewhere—including a couple of pieces about living as queer parents in the Trump era.
boy scouts
Boy Scouts Voting Tomorrow on Gay Ban; Take Action Today
Tomorrow, the Boy Scouts of America will be voting on a new policy that would lift the ban on gay scouts, while still banning gay and lesbian leaders. It’s a step in the right direction, but still an insult to gay scouts who will never be able to become leaders, and to those who have lesbian or gay parents, as I wrote when they first proposed it. Take action today to tell the Boy Scouts to allow gay scouts and leaders.
Boy Scouts’ Proposed Policy Still An Insult
The Boy Scouts of America have proposed a policy change that would allow gay Scouts in their ranks, but would continue to deny leadership positions to “open or avowed homosexuals.” This policy is both a step forward and a slap in the face.
Lesbian Mom Named One of “Best Parents of 2012”
Parenting magazine has named lesbian mom Jennifer Tyrrell one of its “Best Parents of 2012.” The Ohio mom has been speaking out since April when the Boy Scouts of America told her that because of her sexual orientation, she could no longer serve as the den leader of her son’s Cub Scout chapter.
Boy Scout Packs Reject National Anti-Gay Policy
The Boy Scouts of America are an anti-gay organization. They don’t allow gay scouts—even ones about to get their Eagle awards. They kick out gay dads and lesbian moms who are leading their children’s dens and troops. But not all Scout leaders agree with the national policy, and some are speaking out.
Boy Scouts Kick Out Gay Dad; Girl Scouts Support Him
The Boy Scouts’ Lincoln Heritage Council in Kentucky kicked Assistant Scoutmaster Greg Bourke out of his son’s troop last month, just because he is gay. Bourke, who has served the Scouts for five years, writes in a petition at Change.org that he has received “unanimous support from my Troop, Troop Committee, Church, Scouts, Scout Leaders and Scout Parents.”
The Snake in the Boy Scouts’ Tent
The Boy Scouts may be shining a flashlight into a tent they would prefer remains dark. In April they ejected Ohio mother Jennifer Tyrrell from her position as leader of her son’s Cub Scout den, simply because she is a lesbian. In doing so, however, they turned a light on the impact of their policy, and helped show that the real victims are children like Tyrrell’s seven-year-old.
Zach Wahls’ “My Two Moms” Tells of His Family’s Values
Zach Wahls, the former University of Iowa student whose speech about marriage equality to the state House went viral—twice—on YouTube, has a new book out today about his family: My Two Moms: Lessons of Love, Strength, and What Makes a Family.
Lesbian Mom Expelled from Boy Scouts Speaks Out
I wrote the other day about Ohio mom Jennifer Tyrrell, whom the Boy Scouts expelled as den leader of her son’s Cub Scout troop because she is a lesbian. Now, her Change.org petition asking the Boy Scouts to reconsider their policy of not permitting gay Scouts or leaders has gained nearly 130,000 signatures. Tyrrell also
Boy Scouts Kick Lesbian Den Leader Out of Son’s Den
The Boy Scouts of America has recently told Jennifer Tyrrell, a lesbian mom in Ohio, that because of her sexual orientation, she can no longer serve as the den leader of her son’s local Cub Scout chapter. Although parents of the other boys in the den supported her, the local Boy Scout council revoked her membership. After the jump, find out what Tyrrell and the other parents are doing in response, and how you can help.