Help a Gay Scout Go to Conference
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Hi!
Thank you for coming to this page, anything you donate will go to the cost of the trip or to the Scouts for Equality non-profit.
My Story
My name is Joe G., and I was heavily involved with the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) for many years. I am an Eagle Scout, and Vigil Honor Member of the Order of the Arrow (OA).
When I was in scouts, Joined the Order of the Arrow, Scoutings National Honor Society. I never knew what I was getting into. The OA became my family, Shaped me to become the man I am today and it saved my life. If it wasn't for my brothers in the Order, My type 1 diabetes would have gone undiagnosed until it was to late and I would have succumbed to a diabetic coma. The first people I came out to were my brothers in the OA, and they supported me and elected me Lodge Chief of our Local Lodge. I served on the Lodges's ceremonial team from for 7 years, until the culture wars hit home.
In 2011 I left the Boy Scouts of America due to their Ban on Gay Scouts and Scouters. the people who supported me throughout my scouting career were now joined by people who were equally hateful as my friends and mentors were helpful. I did not feel I could be in the BSA without hiding myself again. Now I am the Chapter Lead for the Scouts for Equality organization in my Council helping make the BSA an equal place for all.
This year, 2015 marks the 100th Anniversary of the Order of the Arrow, it also marks the possible day discrimination ends in the BSA. On the 27th the BSA will be voting on whether to lift the ban. unfortunately this comes too late for most gay scouts and scouters who had dedicated their lives to scouting and the order before the ban started to be more regularly enforced,
This means when the conference starts August 3rd, that not one person affected by the ban would have been able to register to attend the 100th Anniversary as an official participant. Even if the ban is lifted, SFE has more work to do making sure every scout has a safe and inclusive unit and to educate the BSA on LGBT issues.
That is why I intend to go up to the Campus of Michigan State University, in East Lansing Michigan, and celebrate with my brothers the end of this ban. I want to be there to distribute information for Scouts for Equality and thank an organization that has been so critical to my life. This is in fact a once in a lifetime oppurtunity. Unfortunately, medication costs make it hard to save money for such a trip. Not to mention, as a diabetic I can't skip any meals to help pay. I would not be asking for help if I could do it alone. That is why any money not spent on the trip will be donated back to the Scouts for Equality nonprofit.
If you would like to make a donation to SFE directly please do so here.
https://www.scoutsforequality.org/
I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
With loyalty in Brotherhood and Cheerfulness in Service,
Joe G.
Thank you for coming to this page, anything you donate will go to the cost of the trip or to the Scouts for Equality non-profit.
My Story
My name is Joe G., and I was heavily involved with the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) for many years. I am an Eagle Scout, and Vigil Honor Member of the Order of the Arrow (OA).
When I was in scouts, Joined the Order of the Arrow, Scoutings National Honor Society. I never knew what I was getting into. The OA became my family, Shaped me to become the man I am today and it saved my life. If it wasn't for my brothers in the Order, My type 1 diabetes would have gone undiagnosed until it was to late and I would have succumbed to a diabetic coma. The first people I came out to were my brothers in the OA, and they supported me and elected me Lodge Chief of our Local Lodge. I served on the Lodges's ceremonial team from for 7 years, until the culture wars hit home.
In 2011 I left the Boy Scouts of America due to their Ban on Gay Scouts and Scouters. the people who supported me throughout my scouting career were now joined by people who were equally hateful as my friends and mentors were helpful. I did not feel I could be in the BSA without hiding myself again. Now I am the Chapter Lead for the Scouts for Equality organization in my Council helping make the BSA an equal place for all.
This year, 2015 marks the 100th Anniversary of the Order of the Arrow, it also marks the possible day discrimination ends in the BSA. On the 27th the BSA will be voting on whether to lift the ban. unfortunately this comes too late for most gay scouts and scouters who had dedicated their lives to scouting and the order before the ban started to be more regularly enforced,
This means when the conference starts August 3rd, that not one person affected by the ban would have been able to register to attend the 100th Anniversary as an official participant. Even if the ban is lifted, SFE has more work to do making sure every scout has a safe and inclusive unit and to educate the BSA on LGBT issues.
That is why I intend to go up to the Campus of Michigan State University, in East Lansing Michigan, and celebrate with my brothers the end of this ban. I want to be there to distribute information for Scouts for Equality and thank an organization that has been so critical to my life. This is in fact a once in a lifetime oppurtunity. Unfortunately, medication costs make it hard to save money for such a trip. Not to mention, as a diabetic I can't skip any meals to help pay. I would not be asking for help if I could do it alone. That is why any money not spent on the trip will be donated back to the Scouts for Equality nonprofit.
If you would like to make a donation to SFE directly please do so here.
https://www.scoutsforequality.org/
I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
With loyalty in Brotherhood and Cheerfulness in Service,
Joe G.
Organizer
Joe Getto
Organizer
Lenexa, KS