May 30, 2012
Lesbian Mom's Backers to Petition Boy Scout Meet
Jason St. Amand READ TIME: 1 MIN.
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) - Supporters of a lesbian mother will present a petition at the Boy Scouts of America's annual meeting in Orlando to protest her removal from a troop in Ohio.
Deborah Tyrrell's supporters will present the petition with more than 275,000 names when the Boy Scouts' meeting begins in Florida Wednesday.
Tyrrell was removed last April as a leader of the troop near Bridgeport, Ohio. Boy Scouts' policy prohibits gays from being adult leaders.
Among those who will present the petition is Eagle Scout Zach Wahls, an Iowa college student who was raised by lesbian mothers. A video of Wahls urging Iowa legislators not to end civil unions went viral last year.
Scouts spokesman Deron Smith says there are no plans to change the policy but the group values freedom of expression.
