Community Corner

Gay Scout Gets $20,000 On Ellen DeGeneres Show

Ryan Andresen accepts contribution toward college on the national television show.

 

Talk show host Ellen DeGeneres praised Moraga Boy Scout Ryan Andresen and presented him with $20,000 for his college fund courtesy of Shutterfly

Andresen, 18, says Troop 212 officials denied him an Eagle Scout award because he had come out as gay to his troop. He appeared on the national show on NBC. The taped segment with Andresen is already posted on the show's website.

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Andresen's Eagle Scout project was to design and install a 288-tile "tolerance wall" at Joaquin Moraga Middle School in Moraga. "All middle schools should have a tolerance wall," said DeGeneres.

The host told the story of Andresen's mom Karen, who organized a petition on Change.org (385,000 supporters and counting) urging the local troop to reject "the Boy Scouts' discriminatory policy."

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"I love moms like that," said DeGeneres.

"I love you, Mom," said Andresen, looking out to the studio audience where his teary-eyed mom was sitting.

What do you think of this mom and son? And of the Scout's policies?

 


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