On May 23, 2013, the Boy Scouts of America’s National Council voted to stop denying membership to youth on the basis of sexual orientation. The change goes into effect Jan. 1, 2014. The similar restriction for adult leaders, however, will remain in place.
When asked about the policy change by KCTV5 reporter Justin Schmidt, Eagle Scout Jason Boyer expressed his hope for further progress: “I think they could go a lot farther because they’re still telling all these kids that they’re bad. They’re telling them, ‘as soon as you turn 18, you’re no longer good enough’ so I still think they have some ways to go, but they’re making progress.”
The resolution allowing openly gay and bisexual youth members came after the most comprehensive listening exercise in BSA’s history. Sixty-one percent (757 yeas) of 1,232 voting members approved the change. Noting that Scouting has the best youth-protection program around, BSA president Wayne Perry affirmed, “Kids are better off in Scouting.”
The scout movement
British war hero Robert Baden-Powell had used boys as scouts during conflict in South Africa. Based on his experiences there, Baden-Powell wrote manuals on military reconnaissance and scout training. After learning that some schools had been using his manuals to teach observation and deduction, he decided to revise and combine them into a handbook, written specifically for young males.
Initially published as installments in 1908, his Scouting for Boys: A Handbook for Instruction in Good Citizenship came out one year after Baden-Powell had tested his methodology at Brownsea Island Scout camp in southern England. This camp is seen as the original event of the scout movement. Baden-Powell used observation, deduction, woodcraft, camping, boating, lifesaving, chivalry and patriotism as tools to shape the character of boys with the intention of building good, strong, honest, hard-working citizens. Baden-Powell set up a central Boy Scouts office, and over the next few years, the organization grew by leaps and bounds. He created Girl Guides as a separate group.
Boy Scouts of America
The scout movement spread over the globe, especially in the British Commonwealth. In 1910, publisher William D. Boyce founded the U.S. version of Baden-Powell’s Boy Scouts. In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson signed a congressional charter for the group. Over the decades, the BSA has reached out in new ways, amid wartime, civil flux and societal advancement. The Boy Scouts of America’s official manual, the Boy Scout Handbook, is in its 12th edition.
Although it is technically part of the World Organization of the Scout Movement’s Interamerican Scout Region, the BSA maintains its own governing structure and makes its own rules. One requirement for scout troops is that each unit has a sponsoring institution. Based on Dec. 31, 2012, data, 70 percent of all units were chartered to faith-based organizations. The faith-based organization that sponsors the most units (by far) is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS or Mormons). The Mormons were early adopters of BSA. It’s reported that every single U.S.-based LDS church sponsors a troop, and the troops are integral parts of Mormon boys’ lives. This church’s response to any change in membership policy would be critical.
The gay ban
The language used to restrict gay people from the Boy Scouts of America membership was at one time fairly harsh, citing the Scout Oath’s “morally straight” requirement and the Scout Law’s “clean in word and deed” clause. Although not explicitly stated in the early years, the implicitly understood BSA policy was later verbalized: “that a known or avowed homosexual is not an appropriate role model of the Scout Oath and Law.”
Boy Scouts of America v. Dale was a huge case for the BSA. In 1990, assistant scoutmaster James Dale publicly stated that he was gay during an interview unrelated to the BSA. Due to this acknowledgment, he was removed from his leadership position with Scouting. He sued. The New Jersey Supreme Court held that the state’s public accommodations law required the BSA to readmit Dale. But the U.S. Supreme Court reversed that decision, finding that based on the First Amendment right of freedom of association, a state could not, through nondiscrimination statutes, prohibit a private organization from discriminating as to its membership.
In recent years, words and methods began to be parsed more gently. A 2000 press release stated, “Boy Scouting makes no effort to discover the sexual orientation of any person.” However, there were cases where members were dismissed when their homosexuality became known to the organization. This seems to be true primarily of adults in leadership positions, but with gay people coming out as teens and pre-teens, the issue of openly gay youth members was set to become salient.
Nevertheless, in 2012, the BSA reaffirmed its discriminatory membership policy position:
While the BSA does not proactively inquire about the sexual orientation of employees, volunteers, or members, we do not grant membership to individuals who are open or avowed homosexuals or who engage in behavior that would become a distraction to the mission of the BSA. Scouting believes same-sex attraction should be introduced and discussed outside of its program with parents, caregivers, or spiritual advisers, at the appropriate time and in the right setting.
One of the problems, however, was that Scouting continued to use public land, spaces and buildings for free or at much-reduced rates, while essentially retaining full discretionary power to violate state and municipal nondiscrimination laws at will. Certain tax-paying citizens were subsidizing the operation of the group while being barred from membership to it. So people continued to sue and the equality-minded frowned upon the blatant, not-so-private discrimination.
With opposition growing, pressure was mounting on the BSA to reverse its policy. Major health groups affirmed that homosexuality is not a mental illness. The number of nondiscrimination ordinances was multiplying. Corporate policies realigned. Marriage equality was becoming a common reality. Friends and families recognized their gay and lesbian members as equals. Corporate sponsors were pulling funds from Scouting. Incoming and current BSA brass soon hinted that they would work internally to change the restriction.
In February 2013, the Boy Scouts of America embarked on an elaborate and thoughtful listening program, taking in the counsel, advice and opinions of many groups, including youth, parents, local and national councils, chartered organizations, finance streams and legal advisers. Youth protection and policies of peer organizations were also reviewed. The outcome was a recommendation made to voting members to change the youth membership policy. The LDS church released a statement in support of the proposal. And on May 23, the BSA National Council members cast their votes, approving it.
Some groups were outraged at the move toward equality, including the Southern Baptist Convention, which passed a resolution expressing its disappointment. Randy Thomasson of SaveCalifornia.com advocated for starting a new homosexual-free scouting organization. And GOP Rep. Jim Bridenstine of Oklahoma called reformers “intolerant bullies” who had targeted the BSA, rather than forming their own group.
If your troop has an LGBT-unfriendly sponsoring institution, consider asking a welcoming congregation to sponsor your scout unit.
Groups that welcome LGB youth and leaders
Girl Scouts of America — girlscouts.org
Camp Fire — campfire.org
Big Brothers Big Sisters — bbbs.org
Although progress is being made, the acceptance of transgender people as youth members and in leadership roles in many pre-teen and adolescent-focused groups is likely lagging and/or ambiguous. In 2011, after initially rejecting a transgender girl, the Girl Scouts of Colorado decided to welcome her as a member and restate its policy more clearly.
See Camp’s “Youth and Young Adult Links” — bit.ly/14uHbWt — for more youth activities and local groups that target LGBT young people.
WhistlePig and Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake Wind Tunnel-Trialed Whiskey Is a Ryed You Don’t Want to Miss
SHOREHAM, VT (September 13, 2023) — WhistlePig Whiskey, the leaders in independent craft whiskey, and Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake are waving the checkered flag on a legend-worthy release that’s taking whiskey to G-Force levels. The Limited Edition PiggyBack Legends Series: Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake Barrel is a high Rye Whiskey selected by the Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake drivers, with barrels trialed in their wind tunnel to ensure a thrilling taste in every sip.
The third iteration in WhistlePig’s Single Barrel PiggyBack Legends Series, the Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake Barrel is bottled at 96.77 proof, a nod to Valtteri Bottas’ racing number, 77, and the precision of racing. Inspired by Zhou Guanyu, the first Chinese F1 driver, this Rye Whiskey is finished with lychee and oolong tea. Herbal and floral notes of the oolong tea complement the herbaceous notes of WhistlePig’s signature PiggyBack 100% Rye, rounded out with a juicy tropical fruit finish and a touch of spice.
Like Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake’s signature C43 racing vehicles, trial barrels were tested in the team’s wind tunnel in Switzerland before hitting the track. Select barrels then endured varying levels of G-Forces at the WhistlePig farm and distillery for the finishing touch, accelerating the interaction between the whiskey and the wood, staying true to the physical nature of Formula 1.
“Partnering with WhistlePig has been a very exciting experience. Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake is dedicated to being the best on the track, and the crew at WhistlePig is fearless in their pursuit to create the best whiskey out there,” said Valtteri Bottas, Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake’s driver. “We’re really looking forward to fans tasting our custom Rye Whiskey and raising a glass to the rookies, veterans, legends and the exhilarating sport of F1.”
"Joining forces with WhistlePig to release a Single Barrel Rye Whiskey that represents my culture and team has been an honor,” said Zhou Guanyu, Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake’s driver. “Formula 1 brings together fearless, thrill-seeking motorsports professionals, and WhistlePig has a shared passion for boundary-pushing innovation. Together, we’ve selected something alarmingly good for fans to enjoy this season when the cars are not on track.”
The Limited Edition Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake Barrel will be available for purchase online starting around September 13 for $49.99 MSRP per 750ml bottle and sold in select stores across the U.S. Consumers can win VIP merchandise by scanning the QR code on the back of each bottle.
"We're taking our third Legends Series release on a ryed like never before,” said Meghan Ireland, WhistlePig Head Blender. "Our experiments with dynamic aging went full throttle during finishing trials at the Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake wind tunnel, in turn inspiring new ways to expose barrels to G-forces back at the WhistlePig Farm. The herbal and floral notes of the lychee and tea barrel selected with the team create a new, podium-topping experience for PiggyBack Rye."
Fans and collectors have followed WhistlePig PiggyBack Legends Series, celebrating those who give 100% in the name of greatness, since its launch in March 2022 with Major League Baseball Hall of Famer, David Ortiz (“Big Papi”), followed by Country Music Duo Brothers Osborne in November 2022.
To learn more about WhistlePig Whiskey, visit whistlepigwhiskey.com. You can also check out WhistlePig Whiskey on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
About WhistlePig Whiskey
Located off the grid on a 500-acre Vermont farm, WhistlePig Whiskey is crafted by a new generation of whiskey distillers and blenders driven to reinvent and unlock the flavor of Rye whiskey. Through their rebellious pursuit of experimenting and pushing boundaries in the industry, WhistlePig has become the leading independent craft whiskey brand for innovation. WhistlePig is committed to becoming the best whiskey on and for the planet, starting with its locally sourced ingredients and sustainable supply chain and distilling process. For more information, head to whistlepigwhiskey.com.
When I started medical transition at 20 years old, it was very difficult to get the care I needed for hormone replacement therapy because there are very few providers trained in starting hormones for trans people, even though it’s very similar to the hormones that we prescribe to women in menopause or cisgender men with low testosterone.
I hope more providers get trained in LGBTQ+ healthcare, so they can support patients along their individual gender journey, and provide the info needed to make informed decisions about their body. I’ve personally seen my trans patients find hope and experience a better quality of life through hormone replacement therapy.
If you don’t have a primary care physician who specializes in LGBTQ+ care in your community, you may need to educate yourself (and your provider). But, before you seek such therapy, here are five things you should know!
- Monitor closely. At Spectrum Medical Care Center, we screen patients for certain risks before starting anyone on hormones. We frequently monitor patients in the first year to ensure there are no adverse reactions and lab results are within safe ranges. Follow-up care is also important to assess your comfort with the transition as well as the social impact and social support you’re experiencing.
- Some changes are permanent, some temporary. For transmasculine individuals going on testosterone, they’ll experience these permanent changes: deepened voice, clitoral enlargement (also known as bottom growth), more body, facial hair, and male pattern baldness. Reversible changes include cessation of menses, increased muscle mass and strength, body fat redistribution, and skin oiliness or acne. For those going on estrogen therapy, the most permanent change is breast growth. Feminizing hormone therapy can also cause atrophy (shrinkage) of the genitals and loss of erectile function that may not be reversible. Estrogen will thin body hair, soften the skin, can increase scalp hair, and decrease muscle mass and strength, all of which are reversible.
- You can’t pick and choose results. Unfortunately, you can’t pick and choose the physical changes you want, which may feel challenging. Some of my patients will say, ‘Okay, ‘I’ve seen the permanent changes I want, and I don’t want it to go any further,’ and so at that point, we stop therapy. Low-dose hormone therapy can slow down the rate of changes, allowing for a more gradual physical transition. We counsel patients in advance about the common changes, and it’s up to the individual as to when they’d like to scale back and determine whether some benefits are worth the potential risks.
- Be aware of risks. Like any medical treatment, there are potential risks involved. Some risks with testosterone therapy include increased red blood cell mass, acne, hypertension, sleep apnea, weight gain, and dyslipidemia (increases the chance of clogged arteries). Cardiovascular disease is likely increased with additional risk factors for testosterone and estrogen therapy. Transfeminine patients going on estrogen therapy may experience weight gain, thromboembolic disease (when a blood clot breaks off and blocks another blood vessel), and a high level of triglycerides in the blood.
Descanso Resort, Palm Springs' premier destination for gay men, just received Tripadvisor's highest honor, a Travelers' Choice "Best of the Best" award for 2023. Based on guests' reviews and ratings, fewer than 1% of Tripadvisor's 8 million listings around the world receive the coveted "Best of the Best" designation. Descanso ranked 12th in the top 25 small inns and hotels category in the United States. Quite an accomplishment!
Open less than two years, Descanso Resort offers gay men a relaxing and luxurious boutique hotel experience just minutes away from Palm Springs' buzziest restaurants, nightclubs, and shopping. Descanso has quickly established itself as a top destination for sophisticated gay travelers, earning hundreds of 5-star guest reviews and consistently ranking in Trapadvisor's top positions alongside brother properties Santiago Resort and Twin Palms Resort.
"Our entire team is honored to be named Best of the Best. To be the only gay men's resort recognized in the Top 1% is incredibly humbling," said Kent Taylor, General Manager at Descanso. "We appreciate Tripadvisor and we're grateful to all our guests who gave us such high marks and reviews to help us reach this achievement."
“Ranking among the Best of the Best demonstrates that you have provided exemplary experiences to those who maZer most: your guests,” said John Boris, Chief Growth Officer at Tripadvisor. “With changing expectations, continued labor shortages, and rising costs, this is no easy feat, and I am con6nually impressed with the hospitality industry’s resilience and ability to adapt.”
Santiago Resort was once again honored by Tripadvisor with a 2023 Travelers’ Choice award, placing it among the top 10% of travelers’ top reviewed des6na6ons. Twin Palms will become eligible for ranking in 2024.
Check out all the reviews, and discover more about Descanso Resort on Tripadvisor here. We have an excellent library of resort imagery available to accompany editorial and additional resources on our press page. Please contact Descanso Resort’s General Manager, Kent Taylor, at kent@descansoresort.com for further information.
About Descanso Resort
Inspired by Palm Springs’ history as a des6na6on for Hollywood stars to unwind in privacy, Descanso offers guests a casual yet modern take on the legendary style of that 6me. Created by the same hospitality team that revitalized Palm Springs’ much-loved San6ago Resort and recently launched the all-new Twin Palms Resort, the Descanso property opened in 2022 featuring 15 spacious guest rooms with custom-designed furniture, dreamy King-size beds, and luxe details. Ameni6es include continental breakfast, poolside lunch, welcome snack basket, and lots of special touches. For guests who need to stay connected, the entire property is equipped with blazing-fast Wi-Fi. Mul6-speed bikes are available for exploring the surrounding midcentury neighborhoods and public art installations. Like the Hollywood stars before them, guests at Descanso are encouraged to unwind, relax, and rest in style.
About Tripadvisor
Travelers across the globe use the Tripadvisor site and app to discover where to stay, what to do and where to eat based on guidance from those who have been there before. With more than 1 billion reviews and opinions of nearly 8 million businesses, travelers turn to Tripadvisor to find deals on accommodations, book experiences, reserve tables at delicious restaurants and discover great places nearby.