The limits of inclusivity and Scouting

 Today we're looking at a controversial move within the Scouting Association.

Scouting has come on since it's conception in the first decade of the Twentieth Century setting up different sections for those of different age ranges and a section just for females, an omission we'd all acknowledge was unfortunate and reflection of attitudes in those early days.

Modern Day scouts does include girls within Scouting which remains controversal and to which I have made the odd post about as a idea because it's simply wrong to take away the achievements of girls who put the effort in whatever ones views might be.

As in the reminder of society the way in which minorities fit in within scouting has changed, for instance we now do accept gay and lesbian people in scouting as (in my opinion) rightly we feel provided people are professional, don't engage displays of public affection with partners in the presence of minors and respect professional boundaries with minors your sexuality is not an issue to you using your dedication and skills to scouting.

Because we do accept girls, those who were recorded as one sex but now have transitioned to the other should not have to give up their memberships. Nobody would wish that on any scout.

The area around "self identification" and declaring to a pack you are now another gender without any transition in terms of presentation is messy because some spaces will be very close to others such as changing or supervision, adult helpers too who fall in this category but who still have many features such as faces and voices that don't match easily self identification as that they see themselves to have the potential  to cause concern to youngsters even if we accept they would not do anything intentially to cause harm or distress.

Working through all this is more nuanced than just demanding "rights" and may require compromises all round.

The "Trans Pride Fun badge" which isn't an awarded one but one that can bought also has raised issues.

The aim is to Make a bold statement with this vibrant Scout Pride Trans woven badge. According to the site it is perfect for adding to a badge blanket, poncho, clothing or a bag to show your support for Scout Pride and the LGBT+ community.

No one wishes any harm to the LBGT+ community and being inclusive and undertanding of differences is a good thing but does and should scouting be making Statements in support of whole groups?

What about showing support for Disabled People and their struggles or any other group in society?

To my mind there is nothing special in LGBT+ that it alone should get one and in any event why not have a badge about inclusivity in all forms not just around sex and sexuality focusing on our abilities and what we have in common. Discrimination sadly takes many forms.

In scouting should we be talking about sexuality to minors and is that not the responsibilities of Schools through PSHE (personal, health, social and economic)  lessons and parents as a child gets older?

I remain unconvinced it is Scoutings role to involved directly in one groups struggle as much it is its responsibility to ensure no one is left behind or discriminated against because of attitudes some may hold and ought to be challenged internally.