Community Corner

B-CC Students Rally for Acceptance of Gay Scouts

The peaceful demonstration in downtown Bethesda on Thursday afternoon received a favorable reception from passers-by.

Students from Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School's Gay/Straight Alliance reportedly received a positive reception from passers-by when they demonstrated their support for gay rights on Thursday afternoon in downtown Bethesda.

The approximately 15 students peacefully expressed support for the Boy Scouts of America to change its membership policy to include gay Scouts, explained Tracie Felker, whose son attends Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School, is a member of Troop 52 and participated in the demonstration.

"The students from B-CC Gay/Straight Alliance were terrific. ... They were enthusiastic and totally committed to the issue," Felker wrote in an email to Patch. "They made a wonderful variety of signs, some of them very creative."

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The demonstration took place outside the Bethesda Hyatt, at the corner of East-West Highway and Wisconsin Avenue.

"We had a very positive reception. One of the signs said 'Honk for Equality' and ... we got lots of honks!" Felker added.

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Many pedestrians passing by the demonstration stopped to talk to the students. "Almost 100 [percent] of the pedestrians congratulated the kids and wished them success. It was thrilling to see the students advocating for social change," Felker wrote.

In an email to B-CC parents before the demonstration, Felker wrote that all students—"gay, straight, transgender, boys, girls" were invited to participate.

"We want to send a message that discrimination based on sexual orientation is not acceptable to this generation. They are the rising leaders of the world and their voices are important," Felker added in the email message to B-CC parents.

The demonstration took place "in advance of the Boy Scouts of America annual meeting next month, where delegates from across the country will vote on whether to lift the long-standing ban on gay Scouts and leaders," The Washington Post reported.


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