This petition is to defend a basic human right and to defend those children who are being institutionally discriminated against because of sexual orientation. This is meant as a direct message in opposition to the violation of human rights by Trail Life USA, and their attempt to segregate homosexual children.

When an organization publicly turns away children who are: ““boys who are openly homosexual, who are not biologically male, or who wish to dress and act like girls,” this is cause for moral and social concern. This in fact is to institutionalize segregation by alienating a child because of their sexual orientation.

How is a child to react when he or she is turned away from participating in an organization who states that it champions integrity, character, and leadership because of a quality rooted so deeply in their self-being that they know not how to live without it?

A child should not have to question the appropriateness of their sexuality because of the intolerance of some. To know he cannot take part in this camaraderie because of the way he is, the way he was born, the only way he knows how to be, one can only assume the questions of self-doubt he may be facing.  It sickens me to think that a child may think he is in the wrong for being the way he is, because organizations like this, who not only neglect, but forcibly act against homosexuality lead him to doubt his self-worth. 

I have created this petition and written these words because I believe that the fundamentals of human rights, by which this very country was formed, are being violated. While every man is free and able to form and join any organization he may please, he must do so without violating the rights of others - the right of being human, and of being respected as such, is under question in this case.

Why should children be exposed to such hatred against their person? Especially by an organization with a mission to glorify good character and leadership. Our character is at our most fragile state in our youth. It is here when we begin to learn of ourselves, and develop our character. What moral character will we develop, and what citizens of society will we form in our children if we allow the continuation of blatant segregation within our public organizations and institutions. 

An institution should not be allowed to publicly strip a child of human dignity without facing appropriate consequence from the public. This petition is to organize a collective voice of men and women who believe that what this organization is doing is wrong. A voice that speaks against discrimination, and who believe that children should not fall victim to ignorance and intolerance.

Please show your support against the discrimination displayed by Trail Life USA by not only signing here today, but also by spreading the word of this petition to friends and community. I challenge us to be just as public and straightforward in our opposition to homosexual segregation as Trail Life USA has been against the allowing openly gay children in their camps.