Young Scout Launches Web Site To Help Gay Scouts Worldwide

learn

By Mike Boisvert.

Starting out as a Beaver Scout at the age of six, to becoming a leader himself, Leigh has been involved with Scouting for 13 years. In the UK, they don't have a system called "Eagle Scouts." The Scouting experience he received was from the 1st Kedington Sea Scouts. They ran a great program of activities and he got so much out of the program, he decided to give something back. He decided to become a scout leader and started his training at 16 when he was still a Venture Scout.

"If anyone says 'Thats so Gay!'," he said "or takes the piss by saying someone is gay - then I crash down on them like a ton of bricks on their first offense - they don't do it again. The older scouts sometime take the piss - but they normally get told off by their Leaders."

Now at the age of 19, he is a fully qualified leader - and planning to go back to training in the spring to be the youngest in his area to complete the final stage - Stage 4 or the Woodbadge. Most leaders only complete up to stage 3 as that is all they need to run a scouting program. He is currently a Cub Scout Leader whose ages range from 8 - 10 years old.

"I love it!," he said "It is so satisfying knowing that you are basically teaching someone something that they would have never normally experienced if they weren't a Scout."

He would like to see Out In Scouting get large enough where the first "Out In Scouting International Jamboree" could be held. Says Leigh, "I would love to go to the first Out in Scouting International Camp where people can be whom they want to be! Take part in the activities and not be ashamed to show who they really are. I would love for gay boys being able to join a scout group wherever they are."

What town did you grow up in? How was it growing up there?

Well, I grew up in a small village called Kedington, which is near Haverhill in Suffolk, UK. It is the sort of village that most people know each other - and where gossip spreads like a disease. I loved it there. It was clean and generally a safe place. I was of course bullied for a period of time for who I was, but this never stopped me for enjoying my freedom and more importantly, my scouting.

The general attitude from my scouting life never really had any problems. Of course a few slang words here or there were yelled - but most of the time it was in the fun of the moment, and so I wouldn't class it as bullying or discrimination.

At what point in your life did you realize you were gay? Did you have a tough time coming to terms with it?

Ok, I realised I was different and I liked boys when I was about 7! Now I know this is young, and I know people are now thinking "What the fu*k?" but it is true. At my primary school we had to change for swimming in front of each other (boys and girls in one big room), and so I kept looking towards the guys. I didn't know there was a name for these sort of feelings until I was about 10 - and by 13, I had received so much crap

from people about if I was, that I came out and told everyone to piss off! Strangely enough it somehow worked, and I have been "OUT" for about 6 years now. The thing is, I didn't really have a tough time compared to some stories some of my friends have told me. I am not saying I didn't have the bleeding lip, broken nose or arm, and generally getting bullied - but I pulled through it knowing I wasn't doing anything wrong.

When did you realize in scouting that you were not accepted?

One day sticks out in my mind - I don't think I will ever forget it.

I have always known that my sexuality wasn't to be mentioned in Scouting circles. Which was cool for me! I didn't care, as long as people knew and they didn't care! There were points when the other guys in Scouting were eyeing up girls out of the bus windows, and then ask me about a guy - or even discuss if that guy was goodlooking or not. It was quite a supportive group - which I have really been lucky for. (I am not drowning out my bad days, but they don't appear in my thoughts as much.) But it was when I started training for Leadership and working with the younger Scouts (Cubs) when the problems began to erupt. The Scout Leader - we will call him "Jim", of course not his really name - came up to me and asked if I was gay? Now he is a really old school type of guy, and I could tell he was having trouble asking, let alone thinking that I could be. So I placed my hand on his shoulder and said "It's best you don't worry about it", and he said "OK" - but tried to stop me helping at Cub Scouts, and stop my Leader training.

In the end I still went training, and he realised he was making a tit of himself. I still talk to him as he is a very good friend - we just don't mention "it" - to be honest none of the Leaders do. They know - but they don't

mention. I of course don't tell my Cubs or their Parents, but when my Cubs move on up the Scouting Movement into Scouts, they are told of the Gay Leader that has looked after them for 3 years. But they are cool about it. (This is sounding such an easy life!)

As a boy scout, were you ever attracted to the other boys? How did you handle that? Did you ever kiss a fellow boy scout?

Ooh, the juicy subject now!

Yes I have, and yes I did! I have even had a boyfriend while on camp! When I was younger I somehow found out about a small group of guys that met up during camp, they basically sneak out and meet up in the campsite to do stuff. Normally near the campfire circle on a site. I only joined them a few times - and I have to say, it still happens now though! Even got to the point now that I meet other Gay guys I did stuff to that are now Leaders and we sit around the fire while the younger guys either come talk to us about stuff - or are doing things in the bushes! Sounds weird and sick - and makes me feel kind of old! But to be honest if we don't see it, and we don't hear it - surely we don't know it is happening?! :-)

Have you had discussions with scouting organizations about their policies? Who did you speak to and what did they say?

Well, in the UK we have people called "Field Developers". These are paid people by the Scouting Assosiaction and normally keep in the shadows and no one really knows they exist. Each County has it's own developer and they report direct to the High Council of Scouting - Sounds like a bunch of Klingons! (How sad did that sound?!). At the moment I am in discussion with my local Development officer, Stewart who is gay himself, and then passing on the information about the cause to the Council.

We haven't had much feedback - but we haven't been closed down yet - which must be a good sign - but we have only been up for a month!

Are you "out" in the scouting community itself? Do you place rainbow patches on your pack/gear to make it more obvious? If you are not "out", what comments do you hear from other scouts about gay scouts?

I don't parade around making myself known that I am gay - but the rumour is spreading fast, not only in the older scout section in my Scout Group - but also along Scout Leader Networks. This is cool - I know they can't do anything to stop me. I am a very different leader to the rest of the guys about in my area. Apart that I am the only one under the age of about 21 is quite cool - but to also be kind of a legend in Scouting is kind of cool. I get introduced to people and they say "Oh your Leigh Brown!"

I am thinking of making my profile a little more known in circles, but I am slightly unsure due to the fact that I am a Cub Scout Leader (8yrs - 10yrs) and I think it would really make more trouble than it is worth. I have decided that if this project really picks off - then I am going to say "F*ck it!" and just come out completely. But if not - I will have to be "normal" in front of Cubs, and be a part-time Gay Icon ;-)

I know at least one scoutmaster who was very attracted to the boys and actually fantasized about them? I don't think he ever tried anything. What's your feeling on this behavior?

To be honest that is a completely different ball game - and I am sick and tired of people pushing the two subjects together - Gay Leaders and Pedophilia. Look, as long as no child is hurt, forced or abused while in the care of a Leader - then I suppose no harm is done. It is almost like the same situation where Guys supervise Girls and Guys together - they don't do

nothing about it - no harm is done if no one knows!

How did you get involved with Out In Scouting? How well has the organization done in fulfilling its mission? Is there anything the general public can do to help?

Well I am The Founder of Out is Scouting (OIS) - Sounds quite impressive doesn't it! I was the stupid fool who came up with the idea on a MSN chatroom one day - then found that a few guys would help, but needed a Leader who wouldn't mind being profiled. And thats how it began.

At the moment the OIS hasn't progressed that far apart from designing the website - as we haven't completely finished recruiting the people needed to help run it, and also that we are not launching this COMPLETELY FREE service until 1st February 2003.

What is your personal experience in the outdoors? Any major achievements, climbs?

Ooh loads of things - and almost all through scouting!

I have got my 2 star award for Kayaking, I used to Cycle and Climb - but recently with college I have had to give it up. But when I do have the chance I go on Camps with the Scouts - I somehow always manage to have a few goes of Absailing (Rock Climbing) which I love, Climbing, and all the other activities they have running. I just love the outside. I spend most of the Summer camping with mates or with Scouts. I also live in the countryside so I am quite lucky compared to others I know living in towns.

Why don't you just leave scouting based on their policies?

Well I am one of the lucky ones. In the UK it is not a crime to be Gay in Scouting - so there is no need for me to go anywhere! But because places like America, a lot of us are banned - they are missing out on a great education and experience that I will never forget! And because of this - I feel that I should help those who are in need of Scouting.

Leigh's closing comments

Maybe we could somehow get people in America to start-up Scout Groups, but under the UK umbrella and so they are allowed to be whomever they want to be! Sounds like a wacky idea - but I have been asking about it - and there are already a few "British Abroad Scout Groups" for people who are part of the RAF or get shipped about - so I don't see why we can't spread the borders a bit! I am asking about it - don't you worry!

If you would like to help Leigh with his mission or share your thoughts and comments, he can be reached at mailto:leigh.b@purple-cow.co.uk

And remember, the web site is Out In Scouting at http://www.outinscouting.org. It will be launched on February 1st, 2003.