McKinney resident Chris Hill, a Republican member of the Collin County Commissioners Court, recently voiced his opinion on the Boys Scouts of America's consideration of changing its restrictive policy concerning homosexuals.
"The organization has led by example and stood on principle in resisting the constant bullying efforts of the homosexual activists looking to undercut the values and mission of the organization," Hill wrote in his newsletter, The County Line. "Retreating from their long-held and principled policies would be devastating to the organization and would undercut the values that have allowed the organization to successfully develop the character of so many boys."
Hill signed his newsletter with his title of District Chairman, Lone Star District, Circle Ten Council, Boy Scouts of America.
According to Collin County's GOP website, Hill has served as the Treasurer for the Collin County Republican Party and has served on the budget committee, financial review committee, bylaws committee, and as chair of the technology committee.
In 2010, Chris was presented the Chairman’s Award for volunteer of the year by Collin County Republican Party Chairman Fred Moses. He is an Eagle Scout and volunteers as a Cub Scout leader for his two sons. He and his family attend and volunteer at Christ Fellowship church in McKinney. Chris also volunteers in the community as a member of the Rotary Club of McKinney.
Check back to TSB, which is attempting to set up an interview with Hill for further thoughts on this subject.
In the meantime, please view the entire text of his County Line email right here:
THE COUNTY LINE-By Collin County Commissioner Chris Hill
For years, The Boy Scouts of America (BSA), a private organization headquartered right here in North Texas, have honorably stood strong against attacks from homosexual activists. But after decades of standing strong, the BSA has indicated it may change its constitutionally protected policy, saying it is "discussing potentially removing the national membership restriction regarding sexual orientation."
The BSA has been instrumental in building the character of tens of millions of boys in our country, including countless boys right here in Texas, and developing them into men. The organization has led by example and stood on principle in resisting the constant bullying efforts of the homosexual activists looking to undercut the values and mission of the organization. Retreating from their long-held and principled policies would be devastating to the organization and would undercut the values that have allowed the organization to successfully develop the character of so many boys.
The BSA Board plans to meet next week to consider this action. It is critically important that they hear from those that share the long-held values of the Boy Scouts. Please contact the Boy Scouts of America at their national office in Irving, Texas and tell them you support the organization standing firm on their moral values and that they should not change their policy on homosexuality.
Additionally, I have listed the names of the national board members below. Please note that this list is from the 2011 Annual Report, and there have been some changes to the board membership since that time.
Sincerely,
Chris Hill
District Chairman
Lone Star District
Circle Ten Council
Boy Scouts of America
Eagle Scout, 1993
Comments
I encourage everyone interested in this issue to read these letters from Eagle Scouts: http://eaglebadges.tumblr.com/
Wow, thank you for sharing the link. I also saw this quote that resonated with me: “I learned in the Boy Scouts that bravery is not the absence of fear but the mastery of fear. But as long as this [anti-gay] policy remains the official position of the BSA, that lesson will ring hollow. I learned in the Boy Scouts the importance of standing up for what’s right.” - Zach Wahls (Eagle Scout)
More than 50 years ago, the Boy Scouts went through a similar change, except the issue back then was whether or not blacks would be allowed to join the boy scouts. Those in opposition made the similar claim that desegregation was a retreat on the long held principles and traditions of the boy scouts. It is the same bigoted ideology, rooted in ignorance, which, like segregation, will end up on the losing end of history.
I understand the PC sentiment of not wanting to appear discriminatory, but I don't think there is some sort of nefarious reasoning behind the Scout's policies. Would you be comfortable sending your teen or pre-teen daughter on a camping trip, where privacy is at a minimum, that was supervised by young men you barely know...even if they were understood to be upstanding young men? Why should it be any different if we are talking about teen and preteen boys and the attraction is homosexual instead of heterosexual? Why isn't this just common sense?
I agree with MicheleC and support Chris Hill- you're not just talking about leaders. It's about the boys, too. I don't like the idea of my 11 year-old son showering at camp with a 17 year-old who is gay. I wouldn't want my 11 year-old daughter sharing a tent with a 17 year-old male. And the adult leaders are not allowed to shower or tent with them for obvious reasons. People don't think about the practical impact this rule change would have. I don't understand why liberals have to try to force their "values" down everyone else's throat. It's a private organization- if you don't like, don't join. Start another group- it's a free country. You know what? Boy Scouts teaches kids to shoot guns, too. I guess you guys will be out to take that away next.
So using your "logic" are you suggesting that homosexuality is contagious and someone might catch it by showering next to someone. I played on teams in my youth and showered after games, how do you know the person next to you is gay? Are you suggesting the Boy Scouts identify the gay individuals? In addition, no one is suggesting boys tent with girls.
No one is forcing a value down anyone's throat. Are you ok with women voting? Are you ok with blacks sharing the same restaurant as you? There are gay and lesbian kids in our high schools here in McKinney, should they be forced to go to another school? If your child had a gay friend would you allow them to share an ink pen at school or would you be afraid they would come home and wake up gay in the morning. Its all about discrimination. Open your eyes.
Are you insane? It's not about "catching" anything- it's about young boys showering or sleeping with older boys that may be sexually attracted to them. You failed to answer the much more reasonable question of would you like your 11 year-old daughter to sleep and shower with a 17 year-old male. And it's not discrimination- it's freedom of association. Read the Dale case.
No, not insane at all but I appreciate your concern about my mental stability. Of course I wouldn't let my 11 year daughter sleep next to a 17 year old boy, nor would that age gap be allowed in any camping or group setting REGARDLESS of sexual orientation. That would be a sex crime due to the age gap. I don’t believe BSA would allow that scenario even prior to this debate. Most institutions that involve children actual require more than 1 adult be present in the setting. You’re implying that just because a boy is gay he is more inclined to want to have sex, a completely incorrect judgment on your part. You are trying to combine pedophilia with homosexuality in a typical fear based argument that doesn't hold water.
The argument which you steered away from, and Mr. Hill's comments is the idea that the BSA’s value and character driven philosophies would be diminished by the fact that someone is gay and therefore should not be allowed. That is pure unadulterated discrimination and bigotry.
The bible is very clear that God does not approve of homosexuality; Boy Scouts is a God-centered organization. We don't judge the sinner, but just as we do not choose to raise our children in an environment accepting of murder, rape or theft, neither do we choose to endorse the sin of homosexuality. You can love the sinner without taking a stand for the righteousness of the sin. When you let your 11 year-old daughter shower with a 17 year old male, then tell me to send my son on a Scout camp with homosexuals.
Did you really just put homosexuality in the same category as rape and murder? WHY DO YOU CARE SO MUCH WHAT SOMEONE ELSE DOES IN THEIR BEDROOM?
Unbelievable. This is highly disappointing, Commissioner. Next Sunday, ask your pastor about Chapter 7 of the Gospel according to Matthew. Read up on it between now and then. In fact, read it out loud so you can really derive its true meaning.
I am very concerned about this. Lets get real here, there is NO correlation between someone who identifies as being homosexual and someone who is a pedophile!!!!! YES, lets protect our sons in boyscouts but from PEDOPHILES, NOT homosexuals. There is nothing honorable about discrimination...NOTHING! Of course if the Boyscouts are a private institution they can discriminate against anyone they choose to discriminate against, but frankly I would not want my sons associated with such a group.
Ok so if the "BSA has been instrumental in building the character...of boys in our country...and developing them into men", is Mr. Hill saying that homosexuality gives you less character or makes you less than a man??? Thank goodness there are "homosexual activists" out there to fight this kind of discrimination.
I assumed that Commissioner Hill was speaking as a representative of the Boy Scouts instead of as Commissioner. However, it is difficult to separate his two roles as our society takes another look at discrimination of people who have a different sexual orientation. It is time that we look at people who have a heart for service to their community instead of making decisions about their worth based on sexual orientation. I am very concerned about the rate of suicides by homosexuals who feel isolated and unworthy.
What long held and principled values are in scouting that could not be upheld by someone regardless of sexual orientation? I hope this shortsighted and discriminatory viewpoint is not a sign of your vision in your newly elected role Mr. Hill!
Exactly, if you are going to such lengths to make your grievances known Mr. Hill, why not explain exactly how these values are being undercut? What are theses subversive actions that threaten the heart of the Boy Scouts?
In this country, how can what someone prefers in the bedroom dictate what groups they can join or rights they have in society? It's discrimination plain and simple.
There's nothing "honorable" about discrimination. If the Scouts don't change, they're going to find themselves increasingly isolated and irrelevant.