A new legal dispute is putting the Boy Scouts of America under scrutiny once again, this time over a trademark battle with a LGBTQ-owned travel company.
The organization has filed a formal opposition with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office against Queer Scout, a new LGBTQ+ travel service launched by Arizona- and Colombia-based entrepreneur Sam Castañeda Holdren.
The Brand at the Center of the Clash
Queer Scout is part of OUT in Colombia, a project under Toro International, Holdren’s Phoenix-founded company. The brand designs curated itineraries for LGBTQ+ travelers in Medellín and beyond, emphasizing safety, cultural immersion, and queer visibility.
The goal, Holdren said, is to connect queer travelers with affirming spaces and local LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs while offering experiences that go beyond mainstream tourism.
Boy Scouts Say “Scout” Belongs to Them
The Boy Scouts’ opposition rests on the use of the word “Scout,” claiming possible confusion with their programs. But Holdren’s legal team points to a different reality.
“There are hundreds of trademarks in active use that contain the word ‘Scout,’ from Toy Scout to Scout Living,” said attorney Jeremy Kapteyn, who represents Toro International. “These services don’t overlap with the Boy Scouts in any way. We’ve tried to resolve this amicably, even offering compromises, but they’ve chosen to push forward.”
The legal team argues the challenge is less about trademark law and more about the discomfort of seeing “Scout” linked to LGBTQ+ identity.
A Complicated History of Inclusion
For Holdren, the case strikes a nerve given the Boy Scouts’ complicated relationship with LGBTQ+ communities. The organization has faced decades of criticism for excluding gay members and leaders, only revising those policies in recent years.
“It’s frustrating that they would oppose a brand openly celebrating queer identity,” Holdren said. “Queer Scout was created to give LGBTQ+ travelers affirming ways to explore the world. The Boy Scouts should be encouraging visibility, not fighting against it.”
Building a Legacy of Visibility
Holdren’s work in advocacy stretches well beyond Queer Scout. A former student leader at Arizona State University, he helped push forward nondiscrimination protections in both Arizona and Massachusetts. In 2015, he launched OUT in Colombia to promote sustainable, community-based tourism.
Queer Scout builds on that foundation, combining advocacy with travel to create affirming global experiences. For Holdren, the opposition feels like a step backward at a moment when visibility and representation remain vital for queer communities.
As the trademark process moves forward, the dispute is likely to reignite questions over how inclusive the Boy Scouts truly are and whether trademark law is being applied equally across the board.
