THE BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA ANTI-GAY POLICY
As an Eagle Scout and former adult leader in the Boy Scouts of America who came out as bisexual in 2016, Dr. DaShanne Stokes has witnessed and experienced the devastating impact of homophobia. As a scholar with advanced degrees in psychology and sociology, Dr. Stokes combines research and over a decade of experience in scouting to provide insightful analysis of the Boy Scouts' anti-gay policy and membership controversy.
Below is a collection of Dr. Stokes' articles and media appearances where he talks about why the new policy still discriminates and where we should go from here.
For journalist inquiries, or to inquire about booking Dr. Stokes for a television, radio, or other media program, please email media (at) dashannestokes (dot) com.
Articles About the Boy Scouts' Anti-Gay Policy
The Huffington Post
"Coming Out in the Midst of the Orlando Massacre"**
(from The Huffington Post) Last year, as I talked about the Boy Scouts' LGBT policy change on several television and radio programs, the one thing I didn't talk about was fear... Continue reading >>
**Featured on the Front Page of The Huffington Post. June 18, 2016.
(from The Huffington Post) It's an image that's been burned into my mind for nearly two decades: the looks of glee and contempt on the faces of my fellow staff members as they verbally attacked my closest friend... Continue reading in The Huffington Post >>
The Advocate
"The Religious Freedom Argument is a Sham" by DaShanne Stokes**
(from The Advocate) Today's "religious freedom" policies should not be seen as a problem limited to LGBT people but as a co-optation of religion that affects us all... Continue reading >>
**Reprinted as "Religious Freedom Claims Are A Fraud" in The Huffington Post.
"Hillary, the Boy Scouts Need You" by DaShanne Stokes**
(from The Advocate) Despite being hailed as a historic change, the new Boy Scout policy not only enables further discrimination, it also raises questions about the leadership Hillary Clinton would provide should she win the coming election... Continue reading >>
**Reprinted as "Would A Clinton Presidency End The Boy Scouts' LGBT Discrimination?" in The Huffington Post.
"Why the Boy Scouts' New Policy Still Discriminates"
(from The Advocate) After more than a century of kicking people out for the "crime" of being gay, the Boy Scouts of America's national executive committee voted unanimously this week... Continue reading in The Advocate >>
"Robert Gates and the Boy Scouts Need to Try Harder"
In a dramatic reversal of remarks he made during his first speech as president of the Boy Scouts of America last year, former Defense Secretary Robert Gates... Continue reading in The Advocate >>
"Boy Scouts, Time For A New Lesson"
Thursday's news that Pascal Tessier, the first known openly gay Eagle Scout, was hired as an adult leader to work for the Boy Scouts of America marks a new milestone... Continue reading in The Advocate >>
Media Appearances About the Boy Scouts' Anti-Gay Policy
WPXI:
Boy Scout Board Approves End to Blanket Ban on Gay Adults
July 27, 2015
In a historic move towards equality, the Boy Scouts of America opened their ranks to LGBT adults. DaShanne joined WPXI, Channel 11 News in Pittsburgh, to discuss the new policy and next steps towards creating true equality for LGBT people in Scouting.
CBS Pittsburgh, KDKA-TV:
Boy Scouts Expected To Ratify Resolution To Allow Gay Scoutmasters
July 27, 2015
After more than a century of exclusion, the Boy Scouts are anticipated to change their policy to allow LGBT adults to join the Boy Scouts of America. DaShanne joined John Shumway of CBS Pittsburgh, KDKA-TV, to discuss the new policy and its exemption for those claiming religious freedom as grounds to continue discriminating.
Robert Christian Show:
DaShanne Stokes Civil Rights Activist
June 19, 2015
Former Defense Secretary Robert Gates' remarks calling the Boy Scouts' ban against gay adults "unsustainable" come at a critical time in the organization's history. Many people are rightly embracing Dr. Gates' remarks, but as DaShanne argues in his latest op-ed in The Advocate, Gates' comments don't go far enough. We need to turn Gates' words into action. DaShanne discussed this controversial policy with host Robert Christian on the Robert Christian Show.
This Show Is So Gay:
Robert Gates and the Boy Scouts' Anti-Gay Policy
June 4, 2015
Former Defense Secretary Robert Gates reversed comments he made during his first speech as president of the Boy Scouts when he said that he would "oppose any effort to reopen this issue" of changing the Boy Scout ban against LGBT adults. Gates calling the current policy "unsustainable" continues buzzing on social media and headlining newspapers everywhere. On June 4, DaShanne will join Dr. Ken Schneck, host of This Show Is So Gay, to discuss LGBT equality in Scouting and why Robert Gates and the Boy Scouts need to try harder.
Out Chicago, WCPT AM & FM:
The Boy Scouts' Anti-Gay Policy and Membership Controversy
April 12, 2015
The Boy Scouts of America remain entrenched in a heated national debate over their continued exclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) adults from membership and serving in leadership roles in the organization. DaShanne joined Scott Duff, host of Out Chicago on WCPT, to discuss the Boy Scouts' anti-gay policy and membership controversy.
Quotes About the Boy Scouts' Anti-Gay Policy
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Pittsburgh Reaction on Scouts' Gay Policy Mixed
August 1, 2015
DaShanne's was quoted in an article by Luke Nozicka of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette about the problems confronting the LGBT community despite the Boy Scouts' celebrated policy change. An excerpt from the article, entitled "Pittsburgh Reaction on Scouts' Gay Policy Mixed," is excertped below:
Nearly 80 percent of the 57 National Executive Board members who cast ballots Monday voted to approve the new policy, allowing gay men to become troop leaders. But church-run units are still able to turn down gays applying for leadership roles if it violates their beliefs, a provision that DaShanne Stokes, an Eagle Scout, author and civil rights activist who lives in Pittsburgh, says won't change much in the long haul.
Mr. Stokes called the new policy "a monumental step back" in his July 20 op-ed on LGBT-interest magazine Advocate.com, saying chartering organizations can still discriminate against LGBT adults...
Mr. Stokes, 37, who has taught about human rights and social justice at the University of Pittsburgh, where he is working toward his doctorate in sociology, said the 105-year-old organization - which has suffered from a declining number of members - may have decided on the change to make it appear more inclusive.
The Daily Item:
BSA Decision Not Really A Decision
July 27, 2015
DaShanne's article, "Why the Boy Scouts' New Policy Still Discriminates," was quoted in an editorial by The Daily Item. An excerpt from the editorial, entitled "BSA Decision Not Really A Decision," is excertped below:
Opponents and proponents of the change argue that, as Eagle Scout and gay rights activist Dashanne Stokes wrote last week in The Advocate, the "new policy is a PR-savvy half-measure." Indeed, both sides have a legitimate arguments about this latest policy.
Supporters of gay rights will argue allowing local chapters to ignore the policy is not a step forward for equal rights. Those in the Scouts? corner wonder what will be the legal and financial ramifications if a church-sponsored organization does deny access to a gay volunteer.
"The new policy lets them have it both ways," Stokes wrote. "It's a step forward for liberals and those of us who seek change but stops short of creating the kind of real change that would further alienate the BSA's conservative core."
The Charlotte Observer:
A Merit Test for the Boy Scouts of America
July 27, 2015
DaShanne's article, "Why the Boy Scouts' New Policy Still Discriminates," was quoted in an editorial by The Charlotte Observer. An excerpt from the editorial, entitled "A Merit Test for the Boy Scouts of America," is excertped below:
In a concession to churches, however, the group still plans to let church-based units choose adult leaders whose beliefs are consistent with their own. That doesn't sit well with some gay rights advocates. DaShanne Stokes, an Eagle Scout and gay rights activist, wrote in The Advocate that the new policy is a PR-savvy half-measure. It does represent progress for gays, he said, but it lets local Scout groups keep discriminating while letting the national office off the hook legally.
"The new policy lets them have it both ways," he wrote. "It's a step forward for liberals and those of us who seek change but stops short of creating the kind of real change that would further alienate the BSA's conservative core."
This editorial has been reprinted in numerous papers, including The Bradenton Herald, The Island Packet and Beaufort Gazette, The Mount Airy News, The Korea Times, The Manistee News Advocate, The Sun News, The News & Observer, and The Daily Reflector.
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