{"alias":"blogEntry","byline":"Alanah Reid, Creative Content Producer","standfirst":"In Scouts, everyone\u2019s welcome, and we\u2019re all united by our values of care and respect. Regardless of gender identity or sexuality, everyone should feel included and celebrated for who they are. Jackson and his partner, Astro, tell us how Scouts has been a supportive and safe space for them.","content":{"layouts":[{"type":"singleColumn","areas":[{"items":[{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022/volunteers/equity-diversity-and-inclusion/lgbtqplus/scout-pride/\u0022 title=\u0022Scout Pride\u0022\u003EPride Month\u003C/a\u003E\u2019s an opportunity to celebrate our diversity and \u003Ca href=\u0022/volunteers/equity-diversity-and-inclusion/lgbtqplus/\u0022 title=\u0022LGBTQ\u002B\u0022\u003ELGBTQ\u002B community\u003C/a\u003E, and show everyone belongs in Scouts.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThis year, we\u2019re sharing the story of Jackson, a queer trans man from Northern Ireland, and his partner, Astro, a non-binary person from Bolivia.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EFrom being involved in Scouts from a young age, they both tell us how Scouts has always been a place where they can be themselves, and feel both celebrated and supported for who they are.\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"gridImageBlock","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","image":"/media/01kgq1vv/jackson-and-astro-1.jpg","width":1280,"height":720,"altText":"The image shows Jackson on the left and Astro on the right stood next to each other and smiling at the camera. They\u0027re both in Scouts uniform and they\u0027re stood in a stadium which you can see behind them.","caption":"Jackson (left) and Astro (right)","link":null},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch4\u003EHi, Jackson and Astro. Can you tell us a bit about yourselves?\u003C/h4\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EJackson: \u003C/strong\u003EI\u2019m the County Youth Commissioner (now County Youth Lead) and a \u003Ca href=\u0022/cubs/\u0022 title=\u0022Cubs\u0022\u003ECubs\u003C/a\u003E Section Leader, but I also help out with \u003Ca href=\u0022/beavers/\u0022 title=\u0022Beavers\u0022\u003EBeavers\u003C/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\u0022/scouts/\u0022 title=\u0022Scouts\u0022\u003EScouts\u003C/a\u003E and \u003Ca href=\u0022/explorers/\u0022 title=\u0022Explorers\u0022\u003EExplorers\u003C/a\u003E at their camps and events. I\u2019m on the \u003Ca href=\u0022/network/options-for-18plus-year-olds-in-scouting/uk-18-25-role-pool/\u0022 title=\u0022UK 18-25 Role Pool\u0022\u003EUK Role Pool\u003C/a\u003E and go to international events, such as the World Scout Jamboree. I work as disability assistant in a secondary school in Dublin. I do rock climbing and I\u2019m a martial arts instructor too.\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAstro: \u003C/strong\u003EI\u2019m an Assistant Section Leader (now Assistant Section Team Member) for Cubs and Scouts. I\u2019ve been in Scouts since I was eight years old and love going to international events. I\u2019m from Bolivia, but I moved to Ireland in 2022 to be with Jackson. I\u2019m an artist and make jewellery based on body positivity, and I\u2019m a tattoo artist apprentice.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Ch4\u003EHow did you both meet?\u003C/h4\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EJackson: \u003C/strong\u003EWe met at the World Scout Jamboree in 2019 in the Rainbow Cafe. The Rainbow Cafe\u2019s a space at the World Scout Jamboree where LGBTQ\u002B members can come together, take part in activities and support each other. After we met, Astro and I stayed in touch online. We were together long distance for about two years before Astro came to Ireland, which was delayed due to COVID-19.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAstro:\u003C/strong\u003E I originally moved to Ireland on a short term visa, but then I decided to stay longer. I joined Jackson\u2019s group as a Section Assistant and I\u2019ve been helping out ever since.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EJackson: \u003C/strong\u003EAt the World Scout Jamboree in Korea last year, we got engaged at the Rainbow Cafe, where we\u2019d met four years earlier.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Ch4\u003EJackson, can you tell us about your mental health work in Scouts?\u003C/h4\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EJackson: \u003C/strong\u003EI\u2019ve always been a big advocate for mental health in Scouts. I\u2019ve had a lot of mental health struggles as a teenager, and I struggled heavily with depression and anxiety.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EI was asked to do a webinar for Pride one year. As I\u2019m a trans leader, I could give my own perspective and share my experience, which then lead me to do webinars around LGBTQ\u002B mental health for young people and adults.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EI did webinars during COVID-19, and I\u2019ve been heavily involved in the diversity and inclusion training for volunteers. A lot of the webinars I did were around how Scouts can be the one safe space for young people. That might not seem like a lot, but for that one young person, having that one place they can go every week can have such an impact.\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"gridImageBlock","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","image":"/media/0bznyr0r/jackson.jpg","width":1280,"height":720,"altText":"The image shows Jackson in Scouts uniform with his hands behind his back. He\u0027s standing outside in front of a castle building on pavement.","caption":"Jackson","link":null},{"quoteText":"I\u2019ve had a lot of people tell me that Scouts was the first place they came out because they felt safe and accepted.","attribution":"Jackson","gridType":"quote","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch4\u003EHas Scouts been a welcoming and supportive place for both of you?\u003C/h4\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAstro:\u003C/strong\u003E My Scout Group in Bolivia was accepting and welcoming. It\u2019s the same here in Ireland and at international events, such as with the Rainbow Cafe at the Jamboree. It\u2019s definitely been that safe space for me.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EJackson:\u003C/strong\u003E In terms of the Rainbow Cafe, a lot of young people who attended said it was the first time they\u2019d seen that it\u2019s OK to be LGBTQ\u002B.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThe level of acceptance of LGBTQ\u002B varies in different countries, so having the cafe as the image of Scouts as having a space for all kinds of people was so impactful.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EScouts has always been accepting of me. Being from Northern Ireland, it\u2019s not as accepting in comparison to other parts of the UK. We\u2019re making big strides, but as a young person, I experienced homophobic and transphobic comments around me all the time.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EI knew I was trans when I was 14, but I didn\u2019t come out until I was 19. When I did come out, one of the first places was at my Scout Group. I decided to tell the Cubs that I was trans and said they could ask me any questions they wanted to.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EOne of them asked, \u2018Why Jackson?\u2019 and I said, \u2018I just like the name.\u2019 Their response was, \u2018Why didn\u2019t you pick something cool, like Duck?\u2019 Then there was a huge debate about the coolest name I could\u2019ve chosen. It was very powerful for me to feel accepted by them, and it wasn\u2019t what I was expecting.\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"quoteText":"Scouts has always been a really accepting place and I was instantly supported by the young people, volunteers and parents. Everyone always had my back and from then on, I was just Jackson. It was a lovely experience for me because I\u2019d been so afraid. All that mattered was who I was as a Scout Leader.","attribution":"Jackson","gridType":"quote","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch4\u003EHow far do you think Scouts has come in terms of welcoming LGBTQ\u002B members?\u003C/h4\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAstro: \u003C/strong\u003EFor me, the jump came in 2019 at the World Scout Jamboree when I experienced the Scouts UK idea for the Rainbow Cafe that brought acceptance and pride. It was a huge inspiration, and we brought the idea back to our countries. Now it feels like it\u2019s OK to be who you are.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EEspecially for UK Scouts, the Rainbow Cafe showed that no matter what country Scouts visit, there\u2019s a place for them where they\u2019ll be supported and protected. Showing that internationally is so powerful and they\u2019ve definitely put a lot of effort into protecting, supporting and celebrating LGBTQ\u002B young people.\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EJackson:\u003C/strong\u003E I\u2019ve noticed a huge difference in the last five to 10 years. It\u2019s much more talked about now, and it\u2019s more common to meet young people and volunteers who are out and proud and it\u2019s not an issue. When I was younger, I\u2019d never met any trans or LGBTQ\u002B Scouts.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EScouts UK in particular has taken a big stance towards accepting everyone. People now recognise it\u2019s an asset to have members who are LGBTQ\u002B, who can be role models for young people and let them know it\u2019s OK to be who they are. We can celebrate our differences and our differences make us stronger. There\u2019s certainly been a huge, positive shift.\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"gridImageBlock","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","image":"/media/kheliebe/astro.jpg","width":1280,"height":720,"altText":"The image shows Astro standing outside with their arms folded. They\u0027re wearing Scouts uniform and have their hair down while smiling at the camera.","caption":"Astro","link":null},{"quoteText":"A lot of organisations might support LGBTQ\u002B young people until it\u2019s an inconvenience. But Scouts fight harder, create supportive teams and tackle any challenges to welcome everyone. It\u2019s a powerful and inspirational movement.","attribution":"Astro","gridType":"quote","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch4\u003EWhat would you say to other LGBTQ\u002B young people and volunteers who are thinking of joining Scouts?\u003C/h4\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAstro: \u003C/strong\u003EReach out and talk to someone if you\u2019re not sure. If you know what\u2019s waiting for you, you can be reassured there\u2019s so much for you in Scouts. Give it your all and go for it!\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EJackson: \u003C/strong\u003EGo in and be unapologetically you. All the things you think make you different are celebrated in Scouts. Scouts is great at finding an area every young person can shine in, and you\u2019ll hopefully meet so many people who\u2019ll not just accept, but celebrate you for who you are.\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"type":"Promo","cta":"Celebrate with our Pride activities","body":"\u003Cp class=\u0022Body\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan style=\u0022mso-ansi-language: EN-US;\u0022 lang=\u0022EN-US\u0022\u003EWondering how you can celebrate Pride in your upcoming sessions? Take a look at the activities on our activity finder.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E","link":{"name":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/activities/?name=pride","id":null,"url":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/activities/?name=pride","newWindow":false,"target":null},"colour":"#f1f1f1","title":"Celebrate Pride Month with our activities","image":null,"imageFocus":"","imageId":0,"imageKey":"00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000","imageCrop":"","gridType":"card","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"type":"Promo","cta":"Visit our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion webpage","body":"\u003Cp class=\u0022Body\u0022\u003EWe\u003Cspan\u003E\u2019\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\u0022mso-ansi-language: EN-US;\u0022 lang=\u0022EN-US\u0022\u003Eve plenty of guidance for welcoming and supporting LGBTQ\u002B members in Scouts.\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E","link":{"name":"Equity, Diversity and Inclusion","id":null,"url":"/volunteers/equity-diversity-and-inclusion/","newWindow":false,"target":null},"colour":"#f1f1f1","title":"Supporting LGBTQ\u002B members","image":null,"imageFocus":"","imageId":0,"imageKey":"00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000","imageCrop":"","gridType":"card","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""}]}],"config":null}]},"searchDescription":null,"pageType":null,"location":null,"versionDate":"20 June 2024","reviewDate":null,"furtherReading":[{"caption":"","title":"Scout Pride","url":"/volunteers/equity-diversity-and-inclusion/lgbtqplus/scout-pride/","newWindow":false},{"caption":"","title":"Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at Scouts","url":"/volunteers/equity-diversity-and-inclusion/","newWindow":false},{"caption":"","title":"Activities to celebrate Pride","url":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/activities/?name=pride","newWindow":false}],"relatedLinks":[],"id":80077,"nodeName":"LGBTQ\u002B volunteers in Scouts: Jackson and Astro","title":"LGBTQ\u002B volunteers in Scouts: Jackson and Astro","type":"blogEntry","image":{"url":"/media/01kgq1vv/jackson-and-astro-1.jpg?cc=0.29182741769547327,0.3271926440329218,0.2918274176954733,0.2564621913580247\u0026width=800\u0026height=450\u0026v=1dac766a79f2f70","caption":"Jackson And Astro stood together at a stadium","type":"jpg","size":100367,"width":1280,"height":720,"altText":"Jackson And Astro stood together at a stadium"},"assets":null,"headerOptions":{"headerTitle":"LGBTQ\u002B volunteers in Scouts: Jackson and Astro","headerSubTitle":null,"headerCta":null,"headerCtaText":null,"headerCtaLink":null,"headerBackgroundColour":null,"showSEOImage":false,"headerBackgroundImage":null,"quickLinks":null},"subHeader":"June is Pride Month. We chatted to Scouts volunteers, Jackson and Astro, about their experience in Scouts as LGBTQ\u002B volunteers.","browserTitle":null,"silktide":"eyJjbXMiOiJVbWJyYWNvIiwiZWRpdG9yVXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9wcm9kLWNtcy5zY291dHMub3JnLnVrLy91bWJyYWNvIy9jb250ZW50L2NvbnRlbnQvZWRpdC84MDA3NyJ9","canonicalUrl":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/news/2024/june/lgbtqplus-volunteers-in-scouts-jackson-and-astro/"}