The Boy Scouts of America has shut down a Seattle chapter of their organization over a gay scout leader who has yet to be removed from duty after his ouster in March.
Geoffrey McGrath, regarded as the BSA’s first openly gay Scoutmaster, was removed by the organization’s leadership last month. The Rainier Beach United Methodist Church (his chapter) has openly refused to remove McGrath from leadership, with the church’s reverend saying that weekly meetings will carry on as usual and that the church will “continue to act as an autonomous church that does not discriminate.”
In response, the BSA has pulled the church’s charter.
McGrath said that he was “stunned” and “disappointed” by the BSA’s decision, lamenting that his chapter’s church “is now being told to violate their religious convictions.”
“It’s unconscionable and irreverent,” he added.
Though McGrath isn’t getting much support from BSA leadership, an overwhelming number of people on social media are defending the beleaguered gay scout leader.
it’s absolutely unacceptable that the boy scouts receive tons of govt support (including $$) when they openly discriminate against gay men
— Laci Green (@gogreen18) April 22, 2014
There is something very cruel about The Boy Scouts not allowing gay leaders considering Boy Scouts is the gayest thing in the Universe. — Bill Dixon (@BillDixonish) April 22, 2014
The Boy Scouts Of America should be deeply ashamed of their disgraceful display of intolerance and discrimination. Exclusion is un-American.
— A Jen, Duh (@hipchkk) April 21, 2014
Girl Scouts: Trying to create strong women. Boy Scouts: Trying to create homophobic men. Why I buy thin mints. pic.twitter.com/4SXxYuGjlr — Steve Marmel (@Marmel) April 21, 2014
Delighted to confirm that @ScoutsCanada is “an open & inclusive organization” – #ProudToSupport – unlike the moronic @BoyScouts of America.
— – W. Brett Wilson – (@WBrettWilson) April 21, 2014
@BSAmerica for evil to triumph good men need to do nothing, Thus Seattle troop you shut down must be praised https://t.co/SQ10a9cYSd — Larry Benjamin (@WriterLarry) April 22, 2014
GOOD ON YOU, PASTOR CORSARO! Boy Scouts shut down troop for refusing to banish gay scoutmaster https://t.co/9KD6BHQHYB via @YahooNews
— Hattie (@hattjam1008) April 22, 2014
@boyscouts , support troop 98 and scoutmaster Geoff McGrath. Scouts want #justiceforMcgrath. His homosexuality is not hurting scouting. — joey begg (@joey_begg) April 22, 2014
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