The Boy Scouts of America has refused to meet with lesbian mom Jennifer Tyrrell, the Ohio-based mom who was booted as den leader of her 7-year-old son’s Boy Scout troop based solely on the fact that she is a lesbian, according to the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD). But even more than a refusal to meet with Tyrrell the BSA reaffirmed its discriminatory position that led to her ousting in a statement to CNN’s LZ Granderson.
The BSA’s Director of Public Relations, Deron Smith said the following the statement to CNN:
"Our focus is on delivering the nation's foremost youth program of character development and values-based leadership training. Our mission does not include teaching young people about sex or sexual orientation, and we do not believe it is Scouting's role to introduce this topic in our youth development program."
The news broke a week ago that the BSA had kicked Tyrrell out as den leader, and just this past Saturday Tyrrell appeared at the Los Angeles GLAAD awards with her partner and children by her side. Following her ousting Tyrrell launched a Change.org petition imploring the BSA to change its policy against gay youth and leaders. The petition is up to 130,000 signatures according to a release from GLAAD.
GLAAD attempted to set up a meeting between Tyrrell and the BSA but the organization refused via email, according to a press release from GLAAD.
While the BSA stands firm in its position, Tyrrell has plenty of support, not just from her petition but also from parents of children in her son’s Pack 109 who have voiced support for her.
One parent, Robert Dunn said, "I'm not a city person. I'm just a backwoods hick, and I don't think anybody around here have an issue with homosexuals. She did a wonderful job, and what they did to her was just horrible. When I told my son Jen was kicked out because she is gay, he didn't know what was wrong because he thought gay meant happy. He's just devastated."
Another parent from Pack 109, Crystal Sabinsky, said, "The boys knew her as Tiger Leader Jen, not Gay Tiger Leader Jen. They are only first graders. Most don't even understand what 'gay' or 'lesbian' mean."
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