Florida Agenda

IRVING, TEXAS – On Tuesday, the Boy Scouts of America reaffirmed its longstanding policy to exclude LGBT persons, setting off a firestorm of criticism directed at the 102-yearold organization. The decision of an 11-member special committee— which deliberated in secret for two years—upholding the ban means that BSA’s national executive board will take no further action with respect to the rule.

Jennifer Tyrrell, the gay mother who was forced to quit serving as her son’s Scout den leader, was in Dallas this week, where she delivered a 300,000-signature petition to the national headquarters of BSA. The petition, launched in April after Tyrrell’s unceremonious ouster, asked BSA to end their policy prohibiting gay scouts and scout leaders, and to reinstate her to her Scouting post.

Scouting officials cited support from parents across the country as a reason for upholding the exclusion policy. BSA national spokesman Deron Smith said that the ban “is absolutely the best policy” for Scouting. According to Smith, the decision of the committee—which was comprised of professional scout executives and adult volunteers— was unanimous.

It reaffirms a longstanding policy that was upheld in 2000 by the U.S. Supreme Court. LGBT rights groups expressed anger over the decision. “With the country moving toward inclusion, the leaders of the Boy Scouts of America have instead sent a message to young people that only some of them are valued,” said Chad Griffin, President of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC).

George Takei Sports Old (Boy Scouts) Uniform for NYC PRIDE

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK – “Star Trek” actor and LGBT rights activist George Takei—who played Lieutenant Sulu on the iconic 1960s television series— rode in the official Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) car this weekend during New York City’s 43rd Annual LGBT Pride March in New York City, a vehicle driven by Ohio mom and former Boy Scout leader Jennifer Tyrrell, who was ousted as a Scout leader because she is gay.

“I’m saddened and shocked by the policy the Boy Scouts have,” said Takei, 75, who is openly gay. Tyrrell and Takei, each be accompanied by their respective spouses, donned matching Boy Scout uniforms to protest Tyrrell’s removal as leader for her 7-year-old son’s Boy Scout troop in Bridgeport, Ohio.

In April, Scouting officials asked her to step down as Scout leader, because her sexual orientation “did not meet the high standards” of conduct of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA).

After being forced to resign, Tyrrell’s son, Cruz, was deactivated from his Scout troop. In true Scout fashion, the mother of four was prepared, and launched a Change.org petition that has netted over 300,000 signatures, as well as the support of A-Listers like actors Julianne Moore, Benecio Del Toro, Josh Hutcherson of “The Hunger Games,” Diana Agron of “Glee,” and singer Ricky Martin.

“She personifies all the best qualities of scouting,” said Takei of Tyrrell.

ORLANDO – The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) annual meeting in Orlando was the scene for respectful protest this week, as LGBT advocates and their supporters protested the ouster of a gay den mother by presenting a petition containing more than 275,000 signatures in support of reinstatement for the woman, Jennifer Tyrell of Ohio.

Among those on hand was Zach Wahls, the Iowa-based student whose speech in support of marriage equality went viral last year, becoming the most-watched political clip on YouTube in 2011. Wahls—himself an Eagle Scout—was raised by a lesbian couple, and is the author of “My Two Moms: Lessons of Love, Strength, and What Makes a Family,” which was released last month. He defended Tyrrell and condemned BSA’s removal of the den mother, who led her 7-year-old son’s Tiger Scout troop until her removal this spring.

“While today’s meeting was productive and thoughtful, the delivery of these petitions marks the beginning of this journey, not the end,” said Wahls. “I thought our dialog today was an honest one, and I’m looking forward to continuing the conversation in the months ahead. We leave today one step closer to religious and personal freedom than when we arrived, and it’s hard to be anything but thrilled about that.”

Wahls previously told the Huffington Post, “I learned in the Boy Scouts that bravery is not the absence of fear but the mastery of fear. But as long as this policy remains the official position of the BSA, that lesson will ring hollow. I learned in the Boy Scouts the importance of standing up for what’s right.” This weekend, Wahls and Tyrrell will travel to San Francisco to take part in this year’s GLAAD Awards, sponsored by the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD).

Pop performer Kat Graham also appeared in support of Tyrrell this week, performing “Put Your Graffiti On Me” during “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” while clad in a Boy Scouts uniform, to honor the ousted den mother.