A gay Boy Scout leader in Seattle says he won’t step down from his position at the troop he started despite being fired by the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) after he spoke to media about his sexuality, Pink News reports.
Seattle Mayor Ed Murray and council members have come to Geoff McGrath’s defence, calling on the BSA’s Chief Seattle Council to reconsider the decision, the report adds.
Following McGrath’s dismissal, a BSA spokesperson told NBC that the organization refrains from asking people about their sexual orientation, and it does not become an issue until they “deliberately inject it into Scouting in an inappropriate fashion.” The BSA’s national council revoked McGrath’s registration after speaking with him about the matter.
McGrath started the troop at the request of the Rainier Beach United Methodist Church, which supports his refusal to step aside.
Last year, the BSA voted to lift a ban on gay youth, a move that was welcomed in some quarters but criticized as too limited in scope, as it means that gay youth will eventually be told they can no longer serve when they turn 18.
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