Following McGrath’s dismissal, Pascal Tessier, the first openly gay Eagle Scout since the Boy Scouts changed their policy to allow gay Scouts, launched a petition calling on Amazon.com to remove the Boy Scouts from its “Amazon Smile” program -- a program that allows customers to donate a portion of their purchases to charity -- until the Scouts stop discriminating against gay leaders.
Last year, after Scouts and Scout leaders launched more than 124 Change.org petitions garnering more than 1.9 million signatures in support of ending the Boy Scouts’ anti-gay policies, the BSA voted to allow openly gay Scouts. But their continued policy of discriminating against gay Scout leaders, Pascal says, sends a dangerous message that shouldn’t be rewarded with corporate dollars from LGBT-friendly companies like Amazon.com.
Says Pascal: "It’s clear that Scouting still isn’t a safe place for LGBT adults and parents. This is both a wake up call and a personal slap in the face to me. Last year’s vote showed that members of the Boy Scouts of America are ready for full inclusion. In four months when I turn 18, I will be kicked out of Scouting. This has to stop, and Amazon can help.”
You can check out Pascal’s petition and comments from supporters here: www.change.org/amazonscouts.
