7/29/2019 Returning my Eagle Scout Award
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February 6, 2013
Mr. Wayne Brock
Chief Scout Executive
The Boy Scouts of America
1325 W. Walnut Hill Lane
Irving, Texas 75015
Dear Mr. Brock,
When I was a young man I was a member of The Boy Scouts of
America (BSA). I started as a young Tiger Cub
and, years later, proudly earned my Eagle Scout Award. The work
I did and experiences I had with the BSA
shaped the successes I have had later in life. I very proudly
displayed my Eagle Scout card in my wallet so that,
simply upon opening my wallet to get money out, everyone would
see my accomplishment. I am sad to report
that about six months ago I removed that card from my
wallet.
Reading reports that homosexuals were banned from scouting made
me ashamed to be associated with the
organization I once relished. I realize that this bigotry has
been a part of scouting since its inception, but I was
just recently made aware of it, and it disgusts me. I have
friends and family members who are homosexual and
I consider them equal to myself.
All my life I have dreamed of being the troop leader of my
future sons scout troop, but that dream died not
too long ago. I do not want any future progeny of mine to learn
bigotry, exclusion, hate, intolerance, or plain
ignorance. I personally do not want to promote or be a part of
an organization that promotes such cancers on
society. I realize and understand that the BSA is a private
organization and can make any rules for members it
pleases, and I respect and support that, as an American. I,
however, cannot morally be associated with such
an institution. It is with a heavy heart that I renounce my
Eagle Scout Award and return it to you.
I was initially waiting until today, February 6, 2013 to write
you this letter and send back the award which I was
once so proud. Today, there was supposed to be a vote to remove
the institutional ban on homosexuals in the
BSA, I was hoping beyond hope that the leadership of the BSA
would overturn the archaic and, honestly, un-American policy, but
alas, the vote has been postponed. The postponement of the assumed
vote is as bad, in
my mind, as a vote to keep the prejudiced policy intact.
I have faith that one day, hopefully in the near future the
leadership of the BSA removes the blinders of narrow
mindedness and overturns the institutional policy of exclusion
so that any citizen of the United States of
America, regardless of sexuality can take advantage of scouting.
When that does happen, I hope you
remember me and return my Eagle Scout Award and return me to
your rolls, as I am proud of my and my
brother Eagle Scouts achievement, but until then, I renounce my
Eagle Scout Award and reprimand the BSA
for its policy of exclusion and hate. Please do not hesitate to
contact me should have any questions or
comments, thank you for your time.
Yours, If policy is repealed, please send Eagle Award (plus
the
2 other religious awards I returned) to:
John F. DeSpain III John DeSpain
Troop 212 1830 Elm St.
St. Louis, Missouri St. Charles, MO 63301
[email protected]
314-578-4799
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]
