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John Makely / NBC News
Ryan Andresen completed the requirements to earn his Eagle Scout award last year, but his Scoutmaster at the time refused to sign his Eagle scout application because of his sexual orientation.
Editor's note: An earlier version of this story from Reuters mischaracterized which group had recommended the Eagle Scout rank for Ryan Andresen. It was the local volunteer review board for a California council of the Boy Scouts.
A local review board for a California council of the Boy Scouts of America has challenged the national organization by recommending that an openly gay former Scout be awarded the top rank of Eagle.
"From what I understand, this has never happened before," Eric Andresen, father of former scout Ryan Andresen, told Reuters.
"It's the first in-your-face (challenge)," said Bonnie Hazarabedian, who chaired the Boy Scout district review board that signed off on Ryan's Eagle scout application and sent it to the Mount Diablo-Silverado Council to be forwarded to the national headquarters for final approval.
But John Fenoglio, scout executive for the local council, told the Silicon Valley Mercury News on Tuesday that he had ruled that Andresen's submission was still ineligible and would not be forwarded.
Ryan, 18, and his parents drew national attention in October after his Scoutmaster refused to sign his Eagle scout application because of his sexual orientation.
More than 462,000 people subsequently signed the Andresens' petitions at Change.org calling on the Scoutmaster to sign. Meanwhile, the Andresens pushed Ryan's application up the Boy Scout hierarchy in the San Francisco Bay area, where it landed before Hazarabedian.
Gay Scouts come out, rally around teen's Eagle Scout bid
"I don't think sexual orientation should enter into why a Scout is a Scout, or whether they are Eagle material," said Hazarabedian. "We felt without a doubt he deserved that rank."
In a statement emailed to NBC News on Tuesday, Boy Scouts public relations director Deron Smith said:
"The Eagle application was forwarded, by a volunteer, to the local council but it was not approved because this young man proactively stated that he does not agree to Scouting’s principle of 'Duty to God' and does not meet Scouting’s membership requirements. Therefore, he is not eligible to receive the rank of Eagle. "
Hazarabedian told Reuters she acted on Ryan's Eagle application because it was filed before his ejection.
Obama opposes Boy Scouts' policy banning gays
"It's gotten to the point that getting the Eagle doesn't matter so much. It's the message that counts. It's the desire that no other Scout should ever have to go through this," said Eric Andresen, who was a Boy Scout leader until his son was ejected.
Hazarabedian called the BSA anti-gay policy "something out of the Dark Ages."
In 1981 when Hazarabedian was a teenager, her friend's brother Tim Curran, a gay Eagle Scout, was the plaintiff in what became the landmark case in California upholding the right of the Boy Scouts, and private organizations in general, to discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation.
Hazarabedian said she recalls making posters and signing petitions in support of Curran and thinking, "By the time I have a son old enough to be a Scout, that will be years from now, they will have fixed this by then, they'll be more tolerant by then. But here we are, 2013, and the same thing is going on."
Watch the most-viewed videos on NBCNews.com
Ryan, who became something of a celebrity with national television appearances and strangers asking to be photographed with him, wants to focus on his last year of high school, his father said.
"We assume someday BSA will (change), and maybe at that time Ryan can retroactively get his Eagle award," he said.
This article includes reporting by NBC News staff and Reuters.
California 17-year-old Ryan Andresen is being denied his Eagle Scout award, a top scouting honor. A Boy Scouts official said Andresen is no longer eligible for membership because he does not adhere to scouting's principle of duty to God or the membership standard on sexual orientation.
Leave a Comment:
Way to Go BSA! Change the policy if you want or don't. Either way it should be your decision. What good are policies if you don't enforce them when the pressure is on. The true test of conviction is standing strong in the face of adversity.
A dog that is backed into a corner doesn't fight because he hates the corner, but because it hates being backed there.
someone commented Several "christian oganizations" accept gays. My Bible says, not so. If they are Christain then they won't. This is just another attempt to blackmail the BSA to accept. It says to "God and Country", not to god and Country.
Sounds like you're a member of the American Taliban and your dispute is with numerous enlightened denominations like the Episcopal church.
Not all Christians are dumb bigots.
I guess its too bad that the Bible is entirely up to interpretation, and they don't follow the same hate-filled interpretation you do, eh?
By the way "God" is not exclusive to Christianity, even in its capitalized form. In fact, the proper name for your god is Yahweh, since you worship the god of the Jews.
It's just such a joy on here to read all the idiots who want to FORCE their views/opinions/beliefs/values onto a PRIVATE organization. The Boy Scouts tak NO public funding & as such are entitled to make their own rules. If you don't want to live within or abide by those rules don't join. We have a free society, so all you gay loving biggots out there who want to FORCE your view point down everyone elses throat just because we don't agree with your life style, tough!
Cry harder! Then go away.
Sorry Dave, the BSA does use public funding in the use of many state parks and national park lands for FREE...others, like me and you, have to PAY for use...that's public funding because the park loses revenue that others have to pay...
Gesh Dave, what are you so afraid of? That it will rub off?
That's right Dave, the other posters can whine all they want.....blah, blah, blah. The real bigots are the ones that promote the behaivor and want to force everyone else to accept it.
Right on American Soldier! The behaviors that promote the institutionalization of bigotry and hatred toward their fellow man.
Mom RN, yes the BSA uses public parks & has access to military bases that you & I pay for with our tax dollars, however, the city that allows them to use a public park, or the federal government that allows them access to a military base can deny them those accesses if they so choose. They don't though! So UNLESS a public entity gives MONEY directly to the BSA, they DO NOT recieve any Federal/State funding.
Utilization of a public facility does not constitute public funding of a organization, and also doesnot mean that the public or the controlling agency of that facility needs to agree with any BSA rules or regulations!
As a girl scout leader...we had to PAY for those things...I don't want BSA to get free access.
And NOT suprised that the government allows the BSA use but discriminates against free use of the GSA and that they don't do anything to stop free access to public lands and facilities. A bunch of bigoted old white men making the rules.
No goodforgoodnesssake, its an organization that prides itself on moral behavior, not some perversion of liberty that degrades human beings. If you have a sin problem, good news for you, Jesus died to forgive you for it.
Who are you get the authority to say what the definition of morality is?
There was no Jesus. You only get one chance to be a good person and treat your fellow man right. Hint, hint, you're not doing it right.
Yeah, as I suspected, i struck a nerve and uncovered someone living a life of a moralist (everything is okay as long as it seems right). Heres a clue, practicing homosexual lifestyle may seem right, but its not. Keep thinking it is and fighting as hard as you want, but it doesn't make it so.
If they're getting free access or a reduced rate for something that would be charged (or denied entirely) to any other private group, then they're receiving a taxpayer subsidy.
Well....if the taxpayer is paying the rest of the fee that the Scouts are not...then yes. If they are receiving a reduced fee and the rest of that fee money is just waived, technically that is not a subsidy. A subsidy pays for a portion of something. A reduced fee is just a reduced fee...
But I will say that I agree with skrekk that it is silly to give any group, regardless of who it is, any breaks on fees or rules or anything else. Because no matter the group that it happens to, someone will cry unfair over it. The only way to make it even is to give no one a discount/break.
Seriously Tim, it sounds like you know nothing about the BSA or how it's been subsidized at the local, state and federal level for many decades.
Here's a clue, you don't get to decide what is and is not right for everybody.
Nor does your Bible. There are no universal morals.
skrekk - For the record, I am a den leader in a Pack in the Gravois Trail Disctrict of the Greater St Louis Council of the BSA. I happen to have a great deal of knowledge about funding in scouts. And I also happen to have a great deal of knowledge about what does and does not consist of a "subsidy" do to my career in engineering and highway construction. I deal with multiple federal and state agencies all the time.
So when I explain to you in clear and concise terms that the BSA does not receive a subsidy from the government when they use public facilities or properties, I know exactly what I am talking about.
Unless you can give us proof to the contrary, I think it's time you admit that you are wrong in using that as an argument...
Once the military OK'd gays, it was only a matter of time.
It only took the BSA 20 or 30 years to catch up after the army racially integrated, so we're looking at the mid 2030s before the BSA joins the modern world on the gay rights issue.
If the military wasn't on the tax payers dole and they had a secret ballot vote, do you really beleive they would accept gays? The BSA has the right to allow who they want into the scouts, you may not like it, but that's the way it is.
The American tax payers do not have to accept it. Otherwise, the BSA should purchase their own private land to camp on. And stop asking the American people to buy their popcorn. They can just rely on church money from now on.
Keep beating the mindless drum if you must, the law protects the BSA and the rights of private citizens and organizations, if you don't like it, to bad!
Yes it does, but we shouldn't be using public monies to subsidize the BSA or the KKK.
Nor does either group of bigots have the right to be free from ridicule.
They don't receive subsidies. See post 14.14
Sounds like you're ignorant of the facts.
Considering every military person I've spoken to who isn't: A) a racist/misogynistic prick, B) evangelical proselytizing Christian, or C) a general "hate's everyone" dirtbag--supports the acceptance of homosexuals in the military, I'd have to say you're pissing up a rope.
i guess along with him being a homosexual and mentally ill he also has a problem with following rules. the bsa should boot this chapter and deny his eagle application.
For those of you that say the scouts is a private institution and can discriminate, you are correct. What you fail to realize is that the scouts deeply depend on public institutions for support such as school buildings, libraries, police and fire, public lands, forest rangers, etc. All supported by tax payers, including homosexuals. That would leave the scouts basically stuck in the church.
I remember being a girl scout leader, we had to PAY for the use of the school building for meetings. The BSA gets a lot more assistance that way the the GSA...not suprised..
Sigh...it is amazing how many people in here have no idea that the use of a school building, park, or other taxpayer supported place by a private organization is NOT a subsidy or funding. See post 14.14 for details as to why that line of thinking is in error.
It is when the BSA receives free or reduced rent, which any other private organization wouldn't receive. Mostly that kind of crap goes on at the local government level.
And there are other sorts of in-kind donations which the BSA received at one time, like free camping on military bases and the use of a military base to host their jamboree. No other private organization has ever received such benefits.
After reading a sampling of letters on this forum, it's plain to see intolerance, and bigotry are not only in the domain of religion, and private organizations. Thank God the tone of this forum has not permeated the majority of America because when that does happen; the game will be over. I have no problem with the gay and lesbian community, and think they are fighting for their just rights, but I do find it repulsive how people ridicule, humiliate, and attack without seeking common ground, and understanding. I guess it's the nature of forums, and how they have become the playground of cowards, and character assassins.
I know, right?
It's gotten almost as bad as when those little black boys wanted to join a whites-only scouting troop.
easy, remove their charter
Gays will never be happy less there making trouble for good people. Gays love sax and making trouble and calling people names that are not gay. Gays are all ways going to make things look bad less they can do it. If it's not for gays then your a bad person. Gays are not good people.
I always thought they liked drums and guitar.... hmmmm... sax?
STFU...you just showed what kind of person you are......Your blanket statements are a bunch of BS...that's like saying all straight men are rapists because SOME have raped....
There a flaming gays....and there are flaming heteros too...both need to get a room.
I do not do PDA...don't like seen anyone do it, gay or straight
The Gays have pride parades...the straights have Gasparilla...,"Beads for Boobs...just as bad, I have seen both and actually, Gasparilla is worse.
Why is this such an emotional debate?
If you're not going to abide by the rules of a private organization, don't join....and certainly don't be surprised when the rules are upheld.
Common sense should prevail.
Not so private when they rely on the generosity of public property. Where is intolerance and bigotry listed in the oath?
If the public doesnt want to support them, I am sure they can find other ways to get donations. Right now their charter says no gays, so you sign something knowing you are lying? which is worse being upfront and say you dont want gays or gays lying to get in?
So Corrine, when you were six years old did know u were hetero sexual?
Have you ever heard the word " CUB SCOUTS". We are talking about first graders joining scouts. Keith's don't join as teens who are aware of sexuality.
The Boy Scouts have egg on their face on this one....and I personally will not support them with purchasing anything from a fundraiser or giving donations, things I had done before I learned of this bigotry..I will just tell the boy to bring his school fundraiser to me and I will buy double from that.
Where is perversion listed in their oath? If you don't like it, start your own GBSA organization.
I'm not sure American Soldier, I guess it's somewhere in the fine print where it also says they allow pedophiles and molesters. Can you show me where in the oath it says bigotry and intolerance?
You still didn't answer the question, again, they are a private organization protected by law to have the same rights under the constitution. Also, they don't allow known pedophiles and molesters in, again you try to use a lame arguement to promote an immoral life style and what to force that onto others.
As with anything, either get the oath you sign changed or go elsewhere, that easy Dont join and then demand that it should say that.
The oath says nothing about being heterosexual.
Mom RN
Just FYI, the Boy Scout application has to be renewed every year for you to remain in the organization.
Does it state on that application NO GAY MEMBERS? I don't know, but does it?
For those that think so, please reference post 14.14 as to why your claims of government funding and subsidies is incorrect...
The Boy Scouts should not discriminate. It goes against what they stand for.
" It goes against what they stand for."??????
REALLY DUDE?????
You obviously were never a Boy Scout, because what you said is quite the ignorant statement. Please grab yourself a Boy Scout Handbook (preferably one that is 30 or more years old) and read it. Then come back and apologize for speaking out on something of which you are unfamiliar with.
I was a cub scout and a boy scout. I'm gay too. Fail to see how I hurt the organization.
The Boy Scouts is a PRIVATE, global organization, not a government one. Just as private homosexual groups should and do have the right to exist and declare their beliefs that it is not sinful to be homosexual, the BSA (or any private club) should also have the same rights and be able to declare that it is sinful. You have every right (and I encourage you to do so) to begin your own organization... The Homosexual Boys Of America, or whatever. It is none of your business, or mine, to tell me or you what to believe...doing so will give rise (and has already begun) to the thought police, and that is a truly frightening prospect. Live and let live!
When you use PUBLIC, TAX FUNDED facilities, not so private that they should be able to discriminate. When they no longer use these facilities, I have no problem with them making their own rules. But MY tax dollars support a bigoted organization. I am NOT okay with that.
...and your tax dollars don't. Private citizens can use roads, bridges, parks, etc.... and if they seek permission to assemble, its a right promised by the 1st amendment. It would be the same thing if a you and a group of tree huggers, or worst KKK wanted to protest and wanted to use public access, you can. So, quit using those lame points.
Interesting that you observed that the BSA is part of the larger World Organization of the Scout Movement, given that only the BSA and scouting groups in Muslim countries like Afghanistan discriminate against gays. No surprise that the BSA is a lot like the Taliban since it's run by Mormons and Southern Baptists.
The rest of the WOSM is gay-friendly, and has no problem at all with gays. That includes the group in the UK founded by the gay man who founded scouting to begin with.
You do realize that the global scouting program accepts homosexuals, right?
1) skrekk is wrong (and quite silly)! Boy Scouts is nothing like the Taliban (though some militant gay political groups sure are!!!) and it is not run by the Mormons or the Baptists. It began in England and was so popular that it naturally spread across the globe, and into the USA. It follows the moral codes that were first revealed to mankind by God thousands of years ago...you may have heard of it...it is called the TEN COMMANDMENTS (NOT the Ten Suggestions). I myself was a Boy Scout and my troop was sponsored by a Roman Catholic church...VERY FAR from being Mormon or Baptist...but even if it was run by Mormons, Baptists, or even by HowdyDoody...WHO CARES?!?!
2) If you are correct "allswell" regarding homosexuality in the Scouts of other countries, well unfortunately that is only evidence that the cancer has spread and so we Americans who are supposed to be FREE need to dig our heals in so that our liberties are not robbed from us as they have been in the foreign nations.
So you believe you have a "liberty" to be an ignorant homophobe and to have your ridiculous fear and hatred of homosexuality be recognized by the government as not a violation of the civil rights of homosexuals?
Once again, the BSA is not a Christian organization, nor is the "god" mentioned the Christian god specifically. It can be any god you want, and the BSA accepts all religions amongst its members, to include the Church of Satan, Animism, and Chaoism.
So you believe you have a "liberty" to be an ignorant homophobe and to have your ridiculous fear and hatred of homosexuality be recognized by the government as not a violation of the civil rights of homosexuals?
Dear allswell,
Yes. Our constitution protects ALL people's rights to believe whatever they want to...even to believe in homosexuality is a right! So I do not wish to stand in the way of the homosexuals to start their own organization...the Homosexual Boys Of America or whatever. Go ahead and start your private such group, and unlike you, I will not interfere. So in return, as a courtesy, please do not interfere with the BSA.
The hilarity of this is that you think the countries that have changed their Scouting programs to accept homosexuals somehow infringed on the liberties of homophobes.
allswell, please read the first 8 words of your response (The hilarity of this is that you think...), because that says it all! Yes, I do think, and so do you! As an American, I defend your right to think as you do. Sad that you do not grant me or others the same right.
If you'd actually served (being an American is not defending, being a servicemember is), you'd be able to tell the difference between expansion of civil rights and actual infringement.
As soon as I saw the headline, I knew it had to be the BAY AREA.
If the BSA decides to change and allow gay scouts shouldn't they also allow gay scout leaders. If this change happens it will be interesting to see how many parents sign their kids up for scouts.
Kevin T- "Just make a gay boy scouts of America organization. Everyone will be happy then."
No - separate but equal was shown to be bogus decades ago - when you finish excluding everyone who doesn't agree with you , you end up sitting on a very tiny island all alone.
No thank you. My nephew became and eagle scout years ago, he's straight, but doesn't think this ban helps the scouts and doesn't agree with it.
What gets me is that the scoutmaster knew BEFORE this kid started the Eagle projects, knowing this kid would be applying for Eagle, yet said NOTHING to him that he would not sign off. He allowed this kid to do all the work (which is a lot) knowing the kid was gay and knowing he wouldn't sign the petition.
Wonder what the scoutmasters motive was? Haha behind his back I think. He Did it to bully the kid....
Scoutmaster should have said BEFORE the kid did all the work the petition would not be allowed.
Sexual orientation is queerdom. Hanging is to good for these people. Filth and perversion is still filth and perversion.
He should have been discharged from the scouts. So much for being morally strait.
First off, its "straight". We're not talking about bodies of water.
Second, homosexuality does not violate the tenant of "morally straight". The BSA is made up of more than just hateful Christians, it includes numerous religious groups who support and accept homosexuality.
I guess it's typical this would come from California. No respect for the rule of law. No understanding of morality. A continuing thumbing of the nose towards sin.
Posts like this are just filled to the brim with good 'ole xtian values hunh?
We in California understand that there are no moral absolutes, just codified law. Religions pretend there are moral absolutes, but with millions of different religions, it best left to rational people to make rational and equitable laws.
We do understand rule of law. Specifically that it is illegal to discriminate on the basis of race, gender, or sexual orientation. I imagine you are still pissed that you lost on the first two, and now see this as your last chance to feign superiority over others.
This country is in a spiral. It crushes family, religion, traditional relationships, freedom of speech or even to have an opinion if it differs from the liberal minority.
I know, right?
It's almost as bad as when those mixed-race couples wanted to marry, and when black kids wanted to be scouts. What arrogance!
Perhaps you should leave then tiger. I think you would fit right in in Iran. They share you beliefs and lack of tolerance. Meanwhile, this country will progress and evolve.
The courts should not have allowed the BSA to discriminate. It was a bad ruling and it should be dragged into court again.
A restaurant would not get away with refusing a minority service or employment, including gay people. Why should the BSA be allowed to? Because some looser conservative judge ignore the constitution, that why.. The constitution guarantees equal rights under the law. The courts need to start upholding the law, not their Bibles moral code.
Yep, spewn like a liberal moral degenerate. How about reading the constitution instead modifying to suit your perverted views. Quit perverting liberty by calling it equality.
You, nor anybody else, gets to decide anyone else's morality.
I suggest you read the constutution, and quit perverting it with your religious mumbo jumbo.
You are right, God has already determined what's right and wrong. Having said that, neither do you! I suggest you read it, i have and this arguement is mute. The BSA is protected under the law, so take your mindless, moraless, and most likely Godless opinions with you to the next arguement, perhaps you'll feel better.
You truly are an embarrassment to this country and it's military.
I'm sorry, but which god is that? Yahweh, Thor, Zeus, Vishnu, Amaterasu? And why should we follow what your god says over what any other god says again?
People, this is not an issue of liberty, fainess, or freedom. This is a private club with rules. By the way, I have contacted several Gay Men only clubs in the U.S. regarding whether or not women or straight men would be allowed...the answer for all four of them was no...and I am not mad because they are well within their rights. If the Scouts changed their rules...thats great...if they don't, thats fine too.
If you know the stance of the BSA, why would you join the organization if it is against your beliefs? Why? Why why not start a separate organization that lines up with your life style and beliefs?
Did u know at six years old you were hetero? Ever heard the word "cub scouts"
He told the scoutmaster and members BEFORE he started the work for the Eagle, yet he wasn't banned at that time. The scoutmaster kept him doing all the work knowing he (the scoutmaster) wouldn't sign off on the petition.
So why wait to tell AFTER the work was done. I think he was bullied Blythe scoutmaster...because he didnt say anything to the kid while he was doing the work.
By that age, the kid shoud have known the rules.
How does camping and selling popcorn interfere with either homosexuality or heterosexual orientation?
It doesnt matter how what camping has to do with it...what matters is that it is a private organization with rules...just like the exclusive gay men only clubs that I am not allowed to join...there is no difference.
bibleverse specifically wrote "why not start a separate organization that lines up with your life style and beliefs?" The BSA is not a religious organization, so what beliefs are we talking about then?? The life style of boy scouts is that of camping outdoors, learning responsibility and obtaining skills needed as men in life. Again I sincerely ask, how are any of these things obstructed by a member's sexual orientation?
Probably has to do with sexual attraction. I know if I shared a tent when I was 15 with a girl, there would have been all sorts of thoughts going through my head....since a gay man is attracted to other men, the leadership probably does not want to deal with any possible hanky panky. At 36 I can control my desires...however, a 15 year old has a much "harder time" controlling desires, so why even put these young men in the situation. Name me one club that you would agree with a teen girl and teen boy sharing a tent..if you don't agree, why would you agree with two men who might be sexually attracted to one another sharing a tent?
Well I guess I would counter with, that's where parental supervision comes in. Not much hanky panky could occur with an adult overseeing activities. The Girl Scouts don't seem to have a problem controlling this.
Did this kid make a pass at someone? NO...never anything inappropriate....they all knew he was gay...he shouldn't have been welcomed to the meetings or at events if that were the rules, yet the scoutmaster never said anything. If that was the policy, why was he allowed to continue doing all the work wearing the BS uniform.
I still think this was a "silent bullying" by the scoutmaster who never planned all along to sign the petition, yet let the kid do all the work anyway. The scoutmaster Never told the kid he wasn't going to sign, just watched him do all of it in vain.
The BSA has won the right to discriminate against gays, athiests, agnostics, etc.--like the KKK, they are a private organization--and a hate group. So be it, don't join, don't donate. But if they are meeting at or otherwise using public facilities, or being supported with public funds, then someone with standing needs to take the public agency to federal court to establish that any organization that openly violates civil rights cannot receive public support. Money talks.
Really,a hate group.Panty waist
Yes, absolutely a hate group. Do they need to also ban blacks to qualify as a hate group in your pea size brain?
Many exclusive groups use public spaces to meet...to include non-Christian religious groups....not just the scouts.
Which is pretty much exactly what they did not long ago, with whites-only troops and inferior facilities for black kids.
It seems a bigot doesn't change its spots.
TankManToo - see post 14.14 for details on why you are wrong about the BSA receiving public support...
You're normally very good at avoiding the CoH violations, pained1. But this time it appears you failed.
Reported.
.