Boy Scout Vote on Gay Ban Hits Close to Home

James Hyer couldn’t bring himself to mail away a possession that represented such a meaningful part of his life.

Hyer, an Eagle Scout and a gay man, weighed the option of giving back that badge to an organization that banned gays for decades.

But something made him hold onto it.

One day he hoped, the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) would lift its national ban on gays in scout troops across the United States, leading to a more inclusive organization that’s one of the oldest and well known in the country.

“I refused to send my badge back because I always felt the organization at one point in time would change their policy,” said Hyer, an attorney who lives in Ossining with his partner.

A vote by the Boy Scouts’ national board on Wednesday might open the gates to allow gay males across the country to serve as youth members or troop leaders after a Jan. 28 announcement stated that a national ban on gays in the scouts could be lifted.

Rather than the national council dictating if gays can join a troop, the decision would be left up to local councils and units.

The Boy Scouts have long excluded both gays and atheists, leading to controversy surrounding the more than century-old organization. Lifting a ban to allow atheists to join is not being considered, Boy Scouts of America spokesman Deron Smith said.

Although Marc T. Andreo, scout executive and CEO of the Westchester-Putnam Council was not available for an interview, he did issue the following statement.

“We’re aware of the ongoing discussion among the national leadership of the Boy Scouts of America regarding the national membership policy and are encouraged by the ongoing dialogue,” Andreo wrote in an email. “Our goal has always been to provide the best youth leadership and development program with the best volunteer leadership to as many young people as possible.”

As for Hyer, when he heard the news of the possible membership change, he was “ecstatic.” Hyer joined the Boy Scouts when he was seven years old and continued through his teenage years, earning the rank of Eagle Scout. In his mid-twenties, he was an assistant troop leader.

One conversation with a young scout, though, made him decide it was time to leave the organization. The young scout confided to Hyer that he was gay and wanted to know if he should come out to the rest of the troop. Hyer, knowing the youngster could be expelled, told him of the possible consequence of that action.

Not soon after, Hyer appeared in front of the Rockland Council and challenged them to do more on the controversial issue. When they refused and told Hyer to refrain talking about gay or lesbian issues to the troop, he quit.

Hyer said he felt like he was “estranged from his family.” To be part of an organization for much of his life then losing it was difficult to grasp and accept, but he didn’t feel he had a choice.

“I was having a real problem because I know I was being a hypocrite by supporting an organization that frankly didn’t support me,” Hyer said.

Tom Staudter, press secretary for the Westchester County Board of Legislators and also an Eagle Scout, said he was asked by the Westchester-Putnam Council to become a leader when he returned to Westchester many years ago. Staudter, whose mother was a longtime high-ranking volunteer within the council, rebuked the offer, in part because of the ongoing discriminatory practice.

Staudter welcomed the news when he heard about possibly ending the exclusion of gays and would like to see an atmosphere of acceptance cultivated in troops throughout the country.

“Great first step,” Staudter said. “Now let’s start teaching inclusion.”

David Juhren, the executive director of The LOFT, a White Plains–based organization that advocates for gays, lesbians, bisexual and transgender people, said the possible move on a national level is a move in the right direction. Still, more could be done.

“It’s good and it’s not entirely good,” Juhren said, “because it would be great if the Boy Scouts nationally lifted the entire ban and made all scouting troops welcoming and accepting of their gay scouts and gay scout leadership.”

“Gay people just want to be part of our community,” Juhren added. “We want to serve. Scouting is a great thing.”

And if the national council votes to lift that ban against gays, Hyer, without hesitation, said he would resume his involvement in Boy Scouts. One of the first things he wants to do is go to the Westchester-Putnam Council headquarters in Hawthorne and ask how he could help.

For Hyer, he’s been away from his other “family” for far too long, and hopes he can be accepted back into the organization that has had such a positive influence in his life.

“I’m hoping one day my partner and I will adopt a son,” Hyer said. “And I’ll be able to take my son to scouting events and be active once again.”