To earn his Eagle Scout badge, Ned Coltman built a 65-foot handicap access ramp out of renewable materials for a conservation center in Reading. In 10 years as a Boy Scout, he learned how to lead, endure hardship, and live honestly.
But now he is quitting the Scouts.
Comments
When I was growing up in the 50's The Boy Scouts were one of the Gayest groups around next to the YMCA...BSA leaders are being totally hypocritical and disingenuous about this policy...I smell the stench of politics here...
Those who say that this is discriminatory or based on hatred and bigotry are just plain wrong. The scouts do not want men who engage in sexual activity with other men to be leaders and role models for the scouts. That behavior violates the core values of the organization. If they do not want people who live a gay lifestyle to be affiliated with their organization, it is their right to exclude such individuals.
KUDOS to this young man and his Eagle Scout peers for doing this! True, the BSA is a privately funded organization and does not have to accept those with whom it disagrees....but neither do these young men have to stand by silently while this goes on. Having the courage to speak out means more than all of those medals and patches combined - FAR more!