LGBTQ+ volunteers in Scouts: Jackson and Astro

Pride Month’s an opportunity to celebrate our diversity and LGBTQ+ community, and show everyone belongs in Scouts.

This year, we’re sharing the story of Jackson, a queer trans man from Northern Ireland, and his partner, Astro, a non-binary person from Bolivia.

From 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.

Hi, Jackson and Astro. Can you tell us a bit about yourselves?

Jackson: I’m the County Youth Commissioner (now County Youth Lead) and a Cubs Section Leader, but I also help out with Beavers, Scouts and Explorers at their camps and events. I’m on the UK Role Pool 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’m a martial arts instructor too. 

Astro: I’m an Assistant Section Leader (now Assistant Section Team Member) for Cubs and Scouts. I’ve been in Scouts since I was eight years old and love going to international events. I’m from Bolivia, but I moved to Ireland in 2022 to be with Jackson. I’m an artist and make jewellery based on body positivity, and I’m a tattoo artist apprentice.

How did you both meet?

Jackson: We met at the World Scout Jamboree in 2019 in the Rainbow Cafe. The Rainbow Cafe’s a space at the World Scout Jamboree where LGBTQ+ 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.

Astro: I originally moved to Ireland on a short term visa, but then I decided to stay longer. I joined Jackson’s group as a Section Assistant and I’ve been helping out ever since.

Jackson: At the World Scout Jamboree in Korea last year, we got engaged at the Rainbow Cafe, where we’d met four years earlier.

Jackson, can you tell us about your mental health work in Scouts?

Jackson: I’ve always been a big advocate for mental health in Scouts. I’ve had a lot of mental health struggles as a teenager, and I struggled heavily with depression and anxiety.

I was asked to do a webinar for Pride one year. As I’m a trans leader, I could give my own perspective and share my experience, which then lead me to do webinars around LGBTQ+ mental health for young people and adults.

I did webinars during COVID-19, and I’ve 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.

Has Scouts been a welcoming and supportive place for both of you?

Astro: My Scout Group in Bolivia was accepting and welcoming. It’s the same here in Ireland and at international events, such as with the Rainbow Cafe at the Jamboree. It’s definitely been that safe space for me.

Jackson: In terms of the Rainbow Cafe, a lot of young people who attended said it was the first time they’d seen that it’s OK to be LGBTQ+.

The level of acceptance of LGBTQ+ 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.

Scouts has always been accepting of me. Being from Northern Ireland, it’s not as accepting in comparison to other parts of the UK. We’re making big strides, but as a young person, I experienced homophobic and transphobic comments around me all the time.

I knew I was trans when I was 14, but I didn’t 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.

One of them asked, ‘Why Jackson?’ and I said, ‘I just like the name.’ Their response was, ‘Why didn’t you pick something cool, like Duck?’ Then there was a huge debate about the coolest name I could’ve chosen. It was very powerful for me to feel accepted by them, and it wasn’t what I was expecting.

How far do you think Scouts has come in terms of welcoming LGBTQ+ members?

Astro: For 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’s OK to be who you are.

Especially for UK Scouts, the Rainbow Cafe showed that no matter what country Scouts visit, there’s a place for them where they’ll be supported and protected. Showing that internationally is so powerful and they’ve definitely put a lot of effort into protecting, supporting and celebrating LGBTQ+ young people. 

Jackson: I’ve noticed a huge difference in the last five to 10 years. It’s much more talked about now, and it’s more common to meet young people and volunteers who are out and proud and it’s not an issue. When I was younger, I’d never met any trans or LGBTQ+ Scouts.

Scouts UK in particular has taken a big stance towards accepting everyone. People now recognise it’s an asset to have members who are LGBTQ+, who can be role models for young people and let them know it’s OK to be who they are. We can celebrate our differences and our differences make us stronger. There’s certainly been a huge, positive shift.

What would you say to other LGBTQ+ young people and volunteers who are thinking of joining Scouts?

Astro: Reach out and talk to someone if you’re not sure. If you know what’s waiting for you, you can be reassured there’s so much for you in Scouts. Give it your all and go for it!

Jackson: Go 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’ll hopefully meet so many people who’ll not just accept, but celebrate you for who you are.