Gay Ex-Boy Scout Gets $20K Check, Spot on ’Ellen’

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Gay Ex-Boy Scout Gets $20K Check, Spot on ’Ellen’

Associated Press

Friday Oct 12, 2012

Ryan Andresen on Ellen DeGeneres’ talk show.

SAN FRANCISCO-A Northern California Boy Scout who was denied the opportunity to become an Eagle Scout and kicked out of his troop after he came out as gay has secured a considerable consolation prize: a $20,000 check for college and a national television audience.

Ellen DeGeneres booked 18-year-old Ryan Andresen of Moraga as a guest on her talk show Thursday, which was National Coming Out Day. After talking with Andresen about his experience, DeGeneres surprised him with the check provided by online photo publisher.

Andresen’s mother, Karen Andresen, launched an online petition last week to get the master of her son’s to sign-off on a project that would allow him to become an Eagle Scout. The Boy Scouts of America has a policy prohibiting gay members or troop leaders.

Comments

Oh Jed said:, 2012-10-12 10:02:34

I guess that saying is true. The Wizard of Oz doesn’t close a door without opening a window.
gdhamf, 2012-10-12 22:35:40

take that boy scouts!
Anonymous, 2012-10-13 23:01:03

I’m ashamed I was a Boy Scout. I didn’t realize they were teaching hate and discrimination
Marty McFaggatron, 2012-10-14 10:14:43

It’s unfortunate that the Boy Scouts as an organization is so corrupt. As an Eagle Scout, I can tell you that I’ve learned an unfathomable amount of life skills and moral values; however, the "big-wigs" higher up seem to be exempt from the Scout Oath and Law. I had hopes for the new national chief scout executive, but he’s from North Carolina and mentioned God in his speech at Bartle.
Anonymous, 2012-10-15 07:49:02

Thank you Ellen for spotlighting this travesty. Although nothing will right the wrong until the homophobic Scouts pulls their heads out of the "sand," hopefully your efforts will take a bit of the sting out of theeexperience for this great young man.SCF
Redpalacecosmoseaglebullsox, 2012-10-15 16:05:12

It’s time for the Boy Scouts to either join the 21st Century or close down. They can’t continue as they are.
Anonymous, 2012-10-15 21:22:02

Yea dor Ellen, for standing up to bullies
Badsean, 2012-10-15 21:26:43

It is time for the Boy Scouts to come out of the hate closet. Stop hanging back in the last century!
Anonymous, 2012-10-16 08:34:55

The boy scouts are a disgrace to america, its time for them to close. I am more than ashamed to have been a boy scout.
Anonymous, 2012-10-31 16:25:13

if eagle award meant that mutch 2 him he should have kept his ....sucking mouth shut until after getting his eagle hope 20k is enogh 4 every door this kid just slammed shut in his future hope b.s.a never changes theyre policy on this matter because if u where ever afraid 2 let ur boys go on a camping trip u will b TERRIFIED!DONT ASK DONT TELL! PA.CUB/BOYSCOUT LEADER
Redpalacecosmoseaglebullsox, 2012-10-31 16:50:24

@Anonymous 2012-10-31 16:25:13 Since you claim to be in Pennsylvania, I guess you are fearful of normal, wll-adjusted monogamous gay people but not of the ostensibly straight head of a charity for troubled youth who abused God knows how many and is now living a rather secure Pennsylvania prison. Do me and those I care about a favor, stay far, far away from out children. You are not to be trusted with anone’s child since you don’;t seem to know the difference between a perfectly well-adjusted individual who happens to love a person who is of the same gender and a criminally maladjusted individual who abuses children not for sexual pleasure but for the feeling of power that person craves. You reaffirm my view that the BSA/CSA is a dangerous place for children and needs to be disbanded and re-established under far different criteria for membership.
Redpalacecosmoseaglebullsox, 2012-10-31 16:58:21

In my previous post make the following corrections for my typos: line 2 should read "...normal, well adjusted..," line 3 should read "...is now living in a...," line 5 should read "...from our children." also on line 5 "with anyone’s child since you don’t seem...." I apologize for the typos.