Hello, dear readers. Come gather ‘round the (virtual) campfire. This week, I want to try out a new feature: Threads! This allows us to comment, chat and create conversations more so than my usual newsletter format, which is mostly one-way.
So let’s use this space to get to know each other a bit more. If you feel comfortable, comment below and introduce yourself. What’s your name, where are you from and what brings you to this space? Then, take a spin through other comments and see where you might have common ground. Is there someone from your hometown? Hit reply and let them know!
The more you contribute, the livelier this space will be. So hit that comment button and let’s get into it!
Hey everyone! My name is Christopher (he/him) and I'm an undergrad at Oregon State University in Corvallis, Oregon. Home is Beaverton, OR, a suburb-city of Portland. I'm here because I was a two-term section chief and longtime youth officer — experiences that gave me an in-depth look at how far behind Scouting is culturally compared to every other area of my life. Having realized that I am, in fact, one of those queer scouts we treated as other, I see my opportunity to work in various mediums to move our culture into the present as a gift.
Hi, friend! Matthew here. I live and teach in Philadelphia, PA with a gay roommate/best friend and Australian Cattle Dog. Like so many others, I lived through the bans, and in the intervening years have done work to assist the BSA with their (minimal) inclusion efforts. I am interested to see how Scouting changes in the next few years, and how those changes will impact its inclusivity.
Hey, all! My name is Sam. I’m originally from the small rust belt town of New Castle in Western PA, but have lived and worked all over the place. I’m currently in Augusta, Maine. I know Mike from college, and have been following (and reading) his work for years now. Love his style — and the stories he shares with the world. Excited to see how this new feature works out!
Hi all, my name is Alex, I'm originally from Beaver Dam Wisconsin, and now live in Golden, Colorado at the edge of the Rockies with my partner Jake. I'm an Eagle Scout and active OA member, and still stay involved as the Alumni Coordinator for the summer camp where I worked for 5 years during High School and College. I got involved in the work to make scouting inclusive back in 2013 when I started working with Scouts for Equality, balancing my responsibilities as their Arrowmen for Equality Coordinator with my formal role as a Section Chief in Scouting.
Today I'm happy to see people in Scouting can be open and advocate for inclusive programs without ending up on a Watch list - we've come so far, so fast! Excited to meet everyone, and reconnect with those I know - It's been a while. Thanks all.
Hi Mike, I'm Ryan. I live in Atlanta, GA with my partner of 11 years and our dog Layla. I'm here because I enjoy hearing stories of how gay Scouters are reengaging with the BSA/OA. Thanks for what you are doing and giving visibility to these important stories.
I was. Grew up in the panhandle of Florida and was a lodge and section officer. I've mainly been active in the OA since high school. Received my DSA in 2015, served as an associate section adviser until recently, and I still serve on the OA's finance subcommittee. Hoping to get more involved locally in the future.
Hi! I'm Forrest, currently living in Baltimore, but from Rochester, NY originally. I've been involved with Scouting since I was 6, and am an Eagle Scout & OA member. I'm gay and came out in Scouting when I was OA National Chief in 2017. Since then, I have been involved with NOACs, World Jamborees, and most recently as part of the BSA's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Advisory Group. I'm a teacher, taking a break from Scouting roles to focus on work & grad school, but love reading the stories of friends & others in Mike's newsletter.
Great job with all of this, Mike. Very well done, but what's most impressive is your consistency I'm Riley, I was a national officer nearly 20 years ago; now I'm a husband, father, lawyer, etc. in Washington, DC.
My daughter is two, and it's unclear what Scouting will look like when she is old enough to consider it. I'm not sure we'll be a Scouting family. I haven't been involved much in the program since she was born.
Hey! My name is Derek. I grew up doing Scouting in Las Vegas, but the bulk of my Scouting career was spent working at a summer camp in southern California. I spent 10 years working at camp, including several as Program Director. In that time, I of course came to realize that I was gay, and after coming out in my "non-Scouting" life I finally quit my summer camp job and made a coming out video in 2012. That prompted an insane journey, which is how I think Mike got on my radar. I think he might have been the first person to interview me after that video, but that whole couple months was a blur. After that I haven't been back to Scouting, though I think about it often. Now I spend my time as a technical director at a local community theater.
Hey, Derek! So nice to see you here. I remember that interview, and likewise, you were one of the first people I interviewed on the topic! Thanks for reading.
Hey everyone! My name is Christopher (he/him) and I'm an undergrad at Oregon State University in Corvallis, Oregon. Home is Beaverton, OR, a suburb-city of Portland. I'm here because I was a two-term section chief and longtime youth officer — experiences that gave me an in-depth look at how far behind Scouting is culturally compared to every other area of my life. Having realized that I am, in fact, one of those queer scouts we treated as other, I see my opportunity to work in various mediums to move our culture into the present as a gift.
Thanks for sharing, Christopher! Appreciate you reading and being a part of this conversation.
Hi, friend! Matthew here. I live and teach in Philadelphia, PA with a gay roommate/best friend and Australian Cattle Dog. Like so many others, I lived through the bans, and in the intervening years have done work to assist the BSA with their (minimal) inclusion efforts. I am interested to see how Scouting changes in the next few years, and how those changes will impact its inclusivity.
Hi, friend! Thanks for being here, and for generously sharing your story with all of us, too.
Hey, all! My name is Sam. I’m originally from the small rust belt town of New Castle in Western PA, but have lived and worked all over the place. I’m currently in Augusta, Maine. I know Mike from college, and have been following (and reading) his work for years now. Love his style — and the stories he shares with the world. Excited to see how this new feature works out!
Hi Sam! So grateful for your support and readership, as always!
Hi all, my name is Alex, I'm originally from Beaver Dam Wisconsin, and now live in Golden, Colorado at the edge of the Rockies with my partner Jake. I'm an Eagle Scout and active OA member, and still stay involved as the Alumni Coordinator for the summer camp where I worked for 5 years during High School and College. I got involved in the work to make scouting inclusive back in 2013 when I started working with Scouts for Equality, balancing my responsibilities as their Arrowmen for Equality Coordinator with my formal role as a Section Chief in Scouting.
Today I'm happy to see people in Scouting can be open and advocate for inclusive programs without ending up on a Watch list - we've come so far, so fast! Excited to meet everyone, and reconnect with those I know - It's been a while. Thanks all.
Hi, Alex! Appreciate you reading and being part of this.
Hi Mike, I'm Ryan. I live in Atlanta, GA with my partner of 11 years and our dog Layla. I'm here because I enjoy hearing stories of how gay Scouters are reengaging with the BSA/OA. Thanks for what you are doing and giving visibility to these important stories.
Hi Ryan! Thanks for reading. I assume you were involved in Scouting as a youth, too?
I was. Grew up in the panhandle of Florida and was a lodge and section officer. I've mainly been active in the OA since high school. Received my DSA in 2015, served as an associate section adviser until recently, and I still serve on the OA's finance subcommittee. Hoping to get more involved locally in the future.
I'm surprised our paths haven't crossed! (Or maybe they have?) Sounds like we were both heavily involved in the OA around the same time.
There's always future NOACs. I'll be on the virtual training Monday night.
Hi! I'm Forrest, currently living in Baltimore, but from Rochester, NY originally. I've been involved with Scouting since I was 6, and am an Eagle Scout & OA member. I'm gay and came out in Scouting when I was OA National Chief in 2017. Since then, I have been involved with NOACs, World Jamborees, and most recently as part of the BSA's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Advisory Group. I'm a teacher, taking a break from Scouting roles to focus on work & grad school, but love reading the stories of friends & others in Mike's newsletter.
Hello, Forrest! It's nice to see you hear :)
Great job with all of this, Mike. Very well done, but what's most impressive is your consistency I'm Riley, I was a national officer nearly 20 years ago; now I'm a husband, father, lawyer, etc. in Washington, DC.
Hi, Riley! It's nice to meet you. I appreciate the kind words, and thank you for reading. Are you or your kids still involved in Scouting?
My daughter is two, and it's unclear what Scouting will look like when she is old enough to consider it. I'm not sure we'll be a Scouting family. I haven't been involved much in the program since she was born.
Oh okay, gotcha. Indeed, the future does seem pretty precarious.
Hey! My name is Derek. I grew up doing Scouting in Las Vegas, but the bulk of my Scouting career was spent working at a summer camp in southern California. I spent 10 years working at camp, including several as Program Director. In that time, I of course came to realize that I was gay, and after coming out in my "non-Scouting" life I finally quit my summer camp job and made a coming out video in 2012. That prompted an insane journey, which is how I think Mike got on my radar. I think he might have been the first person to interview me after that video, but that whole couple months was a blur. After that I haven't been back to Scouting, though I think about it often. Now I spend my time as a technical director at a local community theater.
Hey, Derek! So nice to see you here. I remember that interview, and likewise, you were one of the first people I interviewed on the topic! Thanks for reading.