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21

Apr
2014

In Campaign Events
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By Scouts for Equality

Boy Scouts Shuts Down Seattle Methodist Troop for Retaining Gay Scoutmaster Geoffrey McGrath

On 21, Apr 2014 | In Campaign Events, Campaign News, In the Press | By Scouts for Equality

revoke

Church Pledges to Resist BSA’s Demand and Remain Open and Inclusive; Scouts for Equality Deplores Boy Scouts’ Callous Act as a Discriminatory Attempt to put Politics before Boys

In a startling and discriminatory move, the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) revoked the charter of Seattle Troop 98 and Pack 98 for its refusal to remove gay Scoutmaster Geoffrey McGrath. The BSA revoked the charter of Rainier Beach United Methodist Church’s (RBUMC), a Seattle church whose two Scouting units serve a neighborhood with few other positive opportunities for local youth.

“The Boy Scouts’ decisions only serve to hurt a group of boys who need the values and leadership of someone like Scoutmaster McGrath,” said Zach Wahls, Executive Director of Scouts for Equality, a national organization dedicated to ending the BSA’s ban on gay members and leaders. “Unfortunately, the BSA’s decision calls into question its commitment to leadership and values by perpetuating an outmoded policy rooted in fear and discrimination. History will show that today’s announcement is a self-inflicted wound.”

The controversy surrounding Troop 98 emerged in March, when an NBC News report on the inclusive troop prompted the BSA to question the sexual orientation of Scoutmaster Geoffrey McGrath. McGrath, abiding by the Scout’s commitment to trustworthiness, acknowledged his sexual orientation to the BSA, which in turn, responded by revoking McGrath’s status as Scoutmaster.

Since then, support for McGrath has been overwhelmingly positive. The entire Seattle City Council, as well as more than 20 Washington State legislators, have expressed their support for Rainier Beach United Methodist Church’s right to determine its own leadership for McGrath’s ability to remain a Scoutmaster. Most important, RBUMC Rev. Dr. Monica Corsaro has stood by McGrath and has refused to remove him from his post. BSA is taking this action in direct contradiction to the inclusive religious beliefs and wishes of Rainer Beach Methodist Church.

“Based on our religious principles, we will continue to act as an autonomous church that does not discriminate,” said Rev. Corsaro. “We will continue to have our Troop meetings here, every Thursday night, with business as usual.”

Scouts for Equality stands behind Rev. Corsaro’s religious beliefs and calls into question the BSA’s own Rules & Regulations which state:

“The activities of the members of the Boy Scouts of America shall be carried on under conditions which show respect to the convictions of others in matters of custom and religion, as required by the twelfth point of the Scout Law,

The United Methodist Church (UMC) is the BSA’s second-largest chartered (i.e. sponsor) organization, accounting for more than 10,000 units and 363,000 youth members nationwide. Rainier Beach UMC is part of the Reconciling Ministries Network, comprised of more than 600 United Methodist communities across the country who welcome and affirm LGBTQ individuals. There are at least 70 other Scouting units chartered to Reconciling Congregations throughout the United States.

“I’m stunned and disappointed to hear the news,” said Geoffrey McGrath, Scoutmaster of RBUMC’s Troop and Pack. “Pastor Corsaro specifically sought out someone with my Scouting background to help get these units off the ground, and her church is now being told to violate their religious convictions. It’s unconscionable and irreverent.”