PLEASANT HILL, Calif. (AP) — A Northern California Boy Scout who was denied the opportunity to become an Eagle Scout after he came out as gay plans to present a petition to his troop’s regional council demanding his reinstatement.
Change.org says 18-year-old Ryan Andresen is scheduled to deliver the petition with nearly 409,000 names to the Boy Scouts’ Mt. Diablo Silverado Council in Pleasant Hill on Thursday afternoon.
The leader of Andresen’s Moraga-based troop refused to sign the paperwork the teenager needed to earn the Eagle rank after Andresen wrote a letter in July informing the troop of his sexual orientation. He also was kicked out of the troop.
The Boy Scouts of America has a policy prohibiting gay members or troop leaders.
Assemblywoman Nancy Skinner is expected to join Andresen and present him with a resolution of support.
