Coalition for Inclusive Scouting

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Inclusive Scouting Award

The Coalition for Inclusive Scouting was made up of a few groups across the United States of America that fostered discussion and education related to the status of Scouting in the United States. The Coalition grew out of the movement started by Scouting for All to persuade the Boy Scouts of America to rescind its policy of excluding openly gay, bisexual, transsexual, atheist, agnostic, and nontheist members. The Coalition was a program of G/LEARN, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit educational organization. Both organizations are defunct.

[edit] The Inclusive Scouting Award

The Coalition of Inclusive Scouting is perhaps most widely known for its implementation of the Inclusive Scouting Award which bore the motto "You Earn It by Wearing It".

“There are hundreds of thousands of boys who are Boy Scouts who are realizing that the Boy Scouts’ anti-gay policy applies to them and they don’t know who they can talk to about it,” said Mark Noel, director of the Coalition of Inclusive Scouting, “We need to do something to make sure the scouting environment is more hospitable and more accepting to these kids.”

The insignia is a square knot identical to many BSA adult insignia and is designed to be worn along with those insignia centered above the left front pocket of the uniform shirt. The colors of the two ropes of the square knot symbolize religion and sexual orientation. The patch itself serves a dual purpose. It helps identify Scouts and Scouters who are “safe” to approach and are supportive of those who are currently threatened with exclusion from Scouting, thereby contributing to a healthier environment for the youth in the program. Also, it provides an opportunity for scouts and Scouters to exercise some difficult aspects of showing good character and citizenship. Unlike many awards which are earned at a specific point in time and then simply worn on the uniform, this award is continually earned through its display on the uniform.

Under the plan, Scouts who display the badge will be seen as an ally to kids who may be questioning their sexuality. The Scouts who wear the badge promise to keep the conversation in good confidence and not to reveal the information to those who may move to expel the Scout.

Since it is not an official BSA Award, and not listed in the BSA Uniform and Insignia Guide, it is not officially permitted to be worn on the BSA uniform.

The Inclusive Scouting Distinguished Service Award was awarded by the Coalition for Inclusive Scouting to persons who spoke out against the Boy Scout policies at a substantial personal risk. It is now awarded by ScoutPride. ^[1]