The Boy Scouts of America are in the hot seat once again over the civil rights of LGBT people. The century-old institution recently fired a Seattle Scoutmaster who told NBC News he was gay. Now, the BSA is trying to defend their policy by claiming they had “no choice,” that the Scout leader made “an issue out of his … sexual orientation,” and that he was removed because of his own actions.
Last year, the Boy Scouts changed their policy to allow openly-gay Scouts — but not Scout leaders — to join or to stay in Scouting.
But Geoff McGrath, “removed” Monday by the BSA, says he’s been “transparent” about being gay and the BSA, who approved his application to become a Scout leader, was  “fully aware of my prior activism.”
In “a March 31 letter to Mr. McGrath, the BSA said that ‘if a volunteer makes an issue out of his or her sexual orientation — especially to the youth we serve — then that volunteer is no longer eligible’ to be a registered leader,” the Washington Times is reporting.
“We spoke today after a national media representative inquired locally and nationally regarding your having stated that you are homosexual in connection with a news story,†the BSA wrote to Mr. McGrath. “Based on your public statement, the National Council has no choice but to revoke your registration.â€
The Times concludes that “after NBC contacted Seattle Scouting officials to discuss Mr. McGrath, the officials realized he intended to ‘use our program as a means to further a personal agenda,’ Sharon Moulds, the Seattle BSA council’s top professional leader, told NBC.”
McGrath spoke with local Seattle News KING. “All gay adults who currently serve as den leaders and Scoutmasters should probably keep it to themselves,” he told them.
Watch this report from KING News in Seattle.
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Image: Screenshot via KING