Nicole MacDowell
Staff Writer
@MusicalNikki13
One year after amending their national Charter to allow openly-gay Scouts, the Boy Scouts of America are shutting down a troop for standing up in defense of their gay Scoutmaster.
The Rainer Beach United Methodist Church offered Geoffrey McGrath, the Scoutmaster of Troop 98 in Seattle, WA, the position of Scoutmaster a few months ago. According to the National BSA Charter, open LGBT adults are not allowed to volunteer with their organization. The Reverend Dr. Monica Corsaro refuses to remove McGrath.
In a statement to Scouts for Equality, Corsaro said, “Based on our religious principles, we will continue to act as an autonomous church that does not discriminate. We will continue to have our troop meetings here, every Thursday night, with business as usual.”
Troop 98 and it’s affiliated Cub Scout troop had their charters revoked by the National and Regional councils.
Sharon Moulds, the council executive of the Chief Seattle Council told NBC News, “It was then that we became aware of his intentions to make a public statement about his orientation and use our program as a means to further a personal agenda.” Shortly after, the troop had their charter revoked because of their “refusal to comply with the policies, guidelines, rules, and regulations of the Boy Scouts of America”.
Despite pressures to step down from his position, McGrath said that he will not step down: “Until I am relieved of my duty properly, I stand my post.”
The BSA could not be reached for comment.
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