Poll Respondents Ready to Welcome Gay Scout Leaders

United Methodist Insight Exclusive

Even before the Boy Scouts of America dropped its longtime ban against gay Scout leaders on July 27, more than two-thirds of the respondents to United Methodist Insight's straw poll were ready to welcome gay men into Scouting leadership.

The online poll was conducted July 17-24 via Survey Monkey using links posted on Facebook, Twitter and email newsletter, reaching a potential 3,200 United Methodist leaders and influencers. Of that number, only 54 chose to respond. The above charts show the full range of responses to three questions:

  1. What do you think about the possibility that the Boy Scouts of America may drop its historic ban on gays as Scout leaders?
  2. If your congregation sponsors a Boy Scout troop, what do you think will be its response to dropping the ban on gay Scout leaders?
  3. Since The United Methodist Church officially holds homosexual practice to be "incompatible with Christian teaching," how do you think the 2016 General Conference should respond if Scouting drops its ban on gay leaders?

Nearly 63 percent of respondents said that accepting gay Scout leaders "is a decision that's long overdue" to Question 1.

However, in response to Question 2 about congregational reaction to gay Scout leaders, 40 percent of respondents answered "Other." A sampling of their open-ended responses:

  • "We will continue to support the Scouting program, recognizing that the values taught in Scouting apply [to] all."
  • "Scouting has always stressed personal behavior."
  • "Will accept, but with mixed opinions (i.e. won't "welcome" the change)."
  • "Not sure what our church would do."
  • "Troop will be more open than the sponsoring church."
  • "I have no idea but we may seek alternatives."
  • "We will welcome the change since the United Methodist Church allows gays to be in lay leadership positions."

Nearly 54 percent of respondents said they think The United Methodist Church's 2016 General Conference should vote to remove all restrictive language regarding homosexuality if the Boy Scouts dropped its ban on gay Scouting leaders. The BSA board voted by 79 percent to drop the ban. Combined with the recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling affirming marriage equality, the BSA decision puts further pressure on 2016 General Conference delegates to consider whether it will retain or remove the denomination's stances against homosexuality.

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