Joel Wagner, the Mid-Atlantic Field Director of Scouts for Equality, to visit Elon’s campus.
This past February, the Center for Leadership and Multicultural Center hosted the 2nd annual Intersect: Diversity & Leadership Conference. At the conference, the keynote speaker Zach Wahls, author of My Two Moms, recounted his story of being raised by two lesbian parents and his experience speaking at the Iowa House Judiciary Committee in a public hearing that proposed a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage in Iowa. His words were inspiring and provoking; they captured America’s attention and uplifted his reputation nationally. Bringing this passion to the conference, he inspired the audience and encouraged the attendees to take action.
During Zach’s speech he explained the influence of Boy Scouts on his development as a person and a leader. Following the speech, a student asked about Zach’s feelings towards the Boy Scouts currently with the media attention about the LGBTQ ban in the organization. Through this question, the audience learned how Zach innovatively founded Scouts with Equality, an organization working to create an equal and inclusive scouting community.
Learning about this organization and listening to Zach’s story motivated Elon students to take action and join this organization. Excitedly, through student volunteers’ work and campus interest in becoming advocates has led for Joel Wagner, the Mid-Atlantic Field Director to come to Elon’s campus to lead a meeting Thursday, April 17 at 7:30 p.m. in Moseley 217. This meeting is open to students and the community to learn more about Scouts for Equality and how we all can take part in repealing the ban against LGBTQ participants and Scout Masters in Boy Scouts.