US: California honours teenager kicked out of Boy Scouts for being gay

The California Boy Scout who was refused the prestigious Eagle Scout Badge for being gay, is to be honoured by the California state Assembly this afternoon.

Ryan Andresen, 18, of Moraga, California, was to be recognised by Assembly Speaker, John Perez, who is openly gay himself, at session at midday today, CBS reports.

Mr Andresen, and his family were scheduled to attend the legislative session, and to meet with Assemblywoman, Nancy Skinner, State Senator, Leland Lee and Liutenant Governor, Gavin Newsom, as well as supporters of his campaign.

Karen Andresen, 49, Ryan’s mother, had started a petition on Change.org to have her son awarded the badge, which contained around 430,000 signatures, and which was presented back to the BSA, in order to urge it to change its policy.

After appearing as a guest on the Ellen Degeneres Show, the 18-year-old Boy Scout was awarded a $20,000 (£12,476) scholarship towards his college fees.

Mr Andresen joined the scouts when he was six, had completed all of the requirements for the Eagle Scout Badge, which included building a 288-tile “tolerance wall” for victims of bullying, such as himself, but was refused the badge, once the work was completed.

When Ryan came out, the BSA released a statement saying he had: “notified his unit leadership and Eagle Scout Counselor that he does not agree to scouting’s principle of ‘Duty to God’ and does not meet Scouting’s membership standard on sexual orientation.”

Back in July, after a two year review, the Boy Scouts of America announced it would retain its ban on gay members, volunteers and staff.

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