Tent for straight scouts, one for gays?

I partially quote Theodore Utchen's letter on the Boy Scouts: "BSA's discriminatory policy in excluding from it's membership boys who may be gay or atheists." He goes on to say, "If a young boy is gay it is because of his genetics, and it is not a matter of choice."

There is not one bit of proof that being gay is genetic. That is a scientific fact. Many feel that some day that it will be documented, but as of now it has not. But since he brought up this sensitive subject, for the sake of discussion, let us say that Mr. Utchen is correct. Would it be correct to group these gay boys with straight boys if there may be an attraction between them? Perhaps no different if girls were allowed to tent with boys? This is an awkward situation. Would the scouts have one tent for the straight boys and one for the gays? Seems Mr. Utchen did not think it through before he wrote his letter.

Regarding atheists. Right now, scout troops are made up of Catholics, Jews, atheists and everything in between. In my years in the scouts, we had a two or three different religions plus kids who never went to church: this was never an issue, even though the meetings were held in the basement of a Catholic Church. If it becomes an issue it is because the parents stick their noses into it; otherwise, to the kids, it is a nonissue.

At this young age, I doubt the kids truly know, or are settled on, who they are, their religious, political, or sports team affiliations. Leave them be kids.

D.O. Lipensky

Wheaton