The Boy Scouts of America kicked an openly gay troop leader from its ranks on Monday, citing a policy that prevents adults from "deliberately injecting" their sexuality into the organization.
Geoff McGrath was forced to step down as Scoutmaster of the newly formed Troop 98 in Seattle's Rainier Beach. The 49-year-old says he was aware of the ban on gay leaders, but had hoped the Scouts' recent decision to welcome gay youth signaled a change in attitude.
"It's extremely disappointing to not be fully supported and defended in my membership," McGrath told NBC News. "They are complaining that the problem [his status as an openly gay man] is a distraction to Scouting and they don't seem to understand that the distraction is self-inflicted."
Troop 98 was approved and formed last fall. McGrath says he was approached by clergy from Rainier Beach United Methodist Church, who wanted to start a new youth program in the neighborhood.
Around the same time, the BSA voted to accept gay youth into its fold. As part of the landmark decision, the organization decided to continue its ban on gay troop leaders.
McGrath's application was approved by Seattle's Boy Scouts Council without a problem—even though he's been married to his husband for 20 years. A spokesman said that the organization had no idea that the Scoutmaster was gay.
"Our policy is that we do not ask people about their sexual orientation, and it's not an issue until they deliberately inject it into Scouting in an inappropriate fashion," BSA spokesman Deron Smith said in an email.
Another Scouts leader accused McGrath of trying to promote an "agenda."
"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," said Sharon Moulds, a prominent Seattle Council leader.
But the presence of a gay Scoutmaster hasn't stopped parents from enrolling their kids in McGrath's troop. From the beginning, parents were told outright that the leader is gay. Currently, the boys in the group are all straight, but 17-year-old Koyle Kendrick, a gay teen, says he's planning to join.
"I'll be more comfortable going back into Scouting and being in an inclusive troop," he said. "[McGrath will] understand where I'm coming from."
The boys in the troop have learned to tie knots, build a stretcher and camp in a snow cave. Denise Mimura said that McGrath has done an "excellent job" so far. Her 14-year-old son Jonathan is a member.
"Anyone who is willing to step forward and provide an opportunity for our youth should be supported," Mimura said.
The news about his ejection from the organization came as a blow to McGrath. The Boy Scouts were a big part of his childhood. He became an Eagle Scout, the highest rank available in the program. When he was 22 years old, McGrath was reportedly offered the position of assistant Scoutmaster. The offer was rescinded after he told his troop leaders that he was gay.
McGrath was hoping that his troop could be an example of a more inclusive era in scouting. The Methodist church that sponsored him has pledged to support the leader.
"If you don't participate, you're not part of the conversation," McGrath said. "Yelling from the outside is not conversing. So we're on the inside doing good work. Talking about the gay and lesbian issue is not the biggest part of what we do — it's the smallest part."
