The new LGBTQ+ leaders of the Boy Scouts bring hope for a brighter future

Boy Scouts of America, NYC LGBTQ Pride Parade 2016
Photo: Wikimedia Commons

In 2014, Tess English chose to hide her sexuality to work as a district executive in Tucson for the Boy Scouts of America (BSA), an organization that at the time barred queer members. For her, it was about the mission at hand; she knew queer youth were also hiding in plain sight.

English had already learned about sacrificing her personal life for the greater good by serving in the military for eight years as a Navy Seabee. She began her service in 2007, and Don’t Ask Don’t Tell wasn’t lifted until 2011.

She was aware that queer people don’t cease to exist just because they’re prohibited. Her gayness wasn’t a uniform that could be removed, and she decided early on in her life it wouldn’t prevent her from putting one on.

“I knew what I was signing up for when I joined the military, and I learned organizations change from the people inside of it,” English tells LGBTQ Nation. “It felt the same for Boy Scouts. So I’ve always just pushed to do the best that I can do no matter what, right? If we help our kids be better, our country will be better in general. And this was my opportunity to make that positive impact.”

BSA has been around since…

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