In this episode, Mike shares his personal history with the Boy Scouts, the details of his Eagle Scout project, how he began his career in journalism, and where he sees the future of scouting in America following the most recent developments in the Boy Scouts’ evolution as a youth organization to embrace inclusion. Mike also explains what he sees as the cyclical nature of anti-LGBTQ rhetoric and legislation, and John briefly recaps the final vote total by the Troy City Council on the annual LGBTQ Pride Month proclamation (spoiler alert: it wasn’t unanimous).

“Morally Straight: How the Fight for LGBTQ Inclusion Changed the Boy Scouts—And America“ is available now, wherever books are sold.

Subscribe for email updates on upcoming guests, chapters, and special bonus content.

Show Notes:

• NPR: After years of scandal, Boy Scouts of America changes its name to Scouting America
• Troy Record: RITTNER: Troy and the Boy Scouts, Part 1 and Part 2

Credits:

Produced, edited, and hosted by John Salka
Theme music by Steven J. Goldman, Four Legs Records

Visit troystorypod.com for upcoming episodes, guests, and bonus content.

Connect with Troy Story on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, YouTube, and X (formerly Twitter)

With Pride Month underway, we're diving into an often-forgotten part of American LGBTQ+ history, expertly told by Mike De Socio, Troy-based independent journalist, podcaster, and author of the new book “Morally Straight: How the Fight for LGBTQ Inclusion Changed the Boy Scouts—And America” which documents the fight to end a decades-long ban on gay people from the Boy Scouts of America.

“Morally Straight: How the Fight for LGBTQ Inclusion Changed the Boy Scouts—And America“ is available now, wherever books are sold.

Subscribe for email updates on upcoming guests, chapters, and special bonus content.

Credits:

Produced, edited, and hosted by John Salka
Theme music by Steven J. Goldman, Four Legs Records

Visit troystorypod.com for upcoming episodes, guests, and bonus content.

Connect with Troy Story on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, YouTube, and X (formerly Twitter)

In this preview clip, Mike De Socio (author of the excellent new book “Morally Straight: How the Fight for LGBTQ Inclusion Changed the Boy Scouts—And America”) discusses the continued evolution of the Boy Scouts of America and the organization’s embrace of inclusion, and what he sees as the cyclical nature of anti-LGBTQ rhetoric and legislation. John also notes the final vote by the Troy City Council on the annual Pride Month proclamation.

Full episode coming June 2024.

“Morally Straight: How the Fight for LGBTQ Inclusion Changed the Boy Scouts—And America“ is available June 4, 2024, wherever books are sold.

Credits:

Produced, edited, and hosted by John Salka
Theme music by Steven J. Goldman, Four Legs Records

Visit troystorypod.com for upcoming episodes, guests, and bonus content.

Connect with Troy Story on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, YouTube, and X (formerly Twitter)