Naka Nathaniel, a once devoted and proud Eagle Scout, said he is renouncing his rank until the Boy Scouts of America ends its ban on gay scouts and gay and lesbian scout leaders.
MSNBCNaka Nathaniel
Nathaniel, writing in The Daily Beast on Sunday, said “one of the tropes of Scouting that encourages boys to ascend to the rank is “once an Eagle, always an Eagle,” but that he can no longer be part of an organization “that openly discriminates against people whom it should be openly embracing.”
When I earned my Eagle Scout rank 20 years ago, I was proud of my accomplishment. When my little brother earned his Eagle 13 years later, I traveled halfway round the world to attend his court of honor. I was proud of him and my family. My parents had raised two Eagle Scouts.
Today, I’m ashamed to be an Eagle Scout. I don’t want my son to participate in Scouting.
I would rather my son be gay than be an Eagle Scout.
MSNBC’s Thomas Roberts spoke with Nathaniel on Monday, and reports on the on-going controversy, sparked recently by the Scouts’ ousting of lesbian Scout leader Jennifer Tyrrell.
Tyrrell has launched an online petition at Change.org calling on the Boy Scouts to change its policy that prohibits LGBT people from serving as troop den leaders.
The petition, containing more than 275,000 signatures, was delivered last month to the Boy Scouts at its National Annual Meeting in Florida by Change.org officials and LGBT advocate, author and Eagle Scout, Zach Wahls.
Related articles:
Six Eagle Scouts return medals in protest of Boy Scouts' anti-gay policy
Eagle Scout says Boy Scouts' summer camp fired him for 'being too gay'
The Boy Scouts of America – How does one forgive Stupid?
Eagle Scout camp counselor told 'pack your bags' after revealing he is gay
Boy Scouts' policy captive to anti-gay religious groups
Boy Scouts conclude: Anti-gay policy 'is absolutely the best policy'
Ernst & Young chairman calls for Boy Scouts to end anti-gay policy
Boy Scouts says it has no plans to reverse ban on gays
Zach Wahls delivers 275,000 signatures to Boy Scouts calling for end to anti-gay policies
Thousands sign petition protesting Boy Scouts' dismissal of lesbian den mother
Filed under: Newsmakers
Florida teen fighting criminal charges related to same-sex relationship
Harvey: Gays deserve to be fired for displaying their lifestyles to everyone
Anti-gay marriage activist commits suicide on alter at Notre Dame cathedral
Texas judge enforces ‘morality clause’ to split up lesbian couple
Candidate for Va. Lt. Governor warns same-sex marriage leads to bestiality
ACLU, attorney condemn prosecution of teen who had sex with minor girlfriend
Sex and the teenage girl: The Kaitlyn Hunt tragedy
Transgender student skips graduation rather than wear female gown
UPDATED: Police call fatal New York City shooting an anti-gay hate crime
Attorney implies suspect’s child sexual abuse was a factor NYC killing
Iowa anti-gay activist explains his opposition to gay marriage: ‘It’s awful’
Details emerge in case against teen accused of lewd behavior with girlfriend
Lesbian teen charged in relationship with underage girlfriend rejects plea deal
BREAKING: French president signs marriage equality bill into law
Everything is bigger in Texas – even the homophobia
good for him
I am an Eagle Scout and would never ever renounce my rank, I do send letters to the BSA in protest.
^ I love your username, by the way. Fantastic rebuttal.
I know two eagle scouts that have been in a committed relationship for more than 20 years.
Not so sure how I feel about his “I would rather my son be gay than be an Eagle Scout.” comment? Any thoughts?
“Every president of the United States has supported the work of the Boy Scouts of America since its founding in 1910, and each served as honorary president of the BSA during his term in office.” – scouting.org * I’d love to see president Obama renounce his rank. I’m thinking of starting a facebook campaign to support it.
Good for him, any group that denounces gay rights in any way is not worth supporting.
< Member of Boy Scouts 1973-77: Second Class/Tenderfoot. TODAY, there ARE 7 OTHER Scouts from my troop (of around 16 Boys total) whom are OUT, GAY, and PROUD! And NO Scout Master "touched" ANY of us! Wake UP, BSA!!!!!
The Scouts get no tax-payer monies. That makes it hard to justify government involvement. But I commend him for standing up for what he feels is right. That is real courage & values.
The BSA do use government buildings at little or no cost. Government buildings are paid for by tax payer money. Therefore, we are forced to fund a group that hates.
Thank you!
why does that not surprise me!