Scouts for Equality and the Inclusive Scouting Network Support Equality at the “Equal Scouting Summit”

Summit to Discuss Building an Inclusive Boy Scouts to Be Held Across from National Meeting in Grapevine, Texas

Speakers to include Zach Wahls, Mark Noel, Jennifer Tyrrell, Greg Bourke, Will Oliver, Pascal Tessier, Dave McGrath, Rich Ferraro, Scouts, Scout Leaders, Parents and Supporters from Across the United States

May 16, 2013 – Next week, as the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) considers for the first time ending discrimination of gay Scouts, Scouts for Equality (SfE) and the Inclusive Scouting Network (ISN), will host the “Equal Scouting Summit.” with support from GLAAD and the Human Rights Campaign. Being held across from the BSA National Meeting, the Summit is an opportunity for supporters from across the country to come together to discuss next steps in building the foundation of an inclusive BSA.

Speakers at the Summit will include Zach Wahls, Mark Noel, Jennifer Tyrrell, Greg Bourke, Will Oliver, Pascal Tessier, Dave Rice, and Dave Knapp whose personal experiences of the BSA’s discriminatory policies moved them to become leaders of the equal Scouting movement and led to the collection of more than 1.8 million Change.org petition signatures calling for an end to the BSA’s ban on gay members. Events during the Summit will include a welcome ceremony for Eagle Scout Dave McGrath and his son Army Specialist Joe McGrath as they ride into Texas and complete their 1,800-mile bike ride for equality and the culmination of the Voice of the Gay Scout project. Gay Scouts across the country have submitted letters of what they would say to the National Council voters if they had the opportunity and during the Summit those letters will be read out loud.

All events are OPEN to the press. Additional details will be released in the coming days.

WHAT: Equal Scouting Summit
WHEN: Wednesday, May 22nd – Friday, May 24th
WHERE: Great Wolf Lodge, 100 Great Wolf Drive, Grapevine, Texas
WHO: Scouts for Equality, Inclusive Scouting Network, GLAAD, Jennifer Tyrrell, Greg Bourke, Dave Rice, Dave Knapp, Will Oliver, Pascal Tessier, Eagle Scout Dave McGrath, Army Specialist Joe McGrath, Scouts, Scout Leaders, Parents & Supporters

Press Information: Members of the press can register to attend and submit requests for interviews at www.inclusivescouting.net/media/2013-summit-registration/

For more information go to www.scoutsforequality.com/summit

Scouts for Equality

Founded in 2012 by four straight Eagle Scouts, Scouts for Equality (SfE) is a Boy Scouts of America (BSA) alumni association dedicated to ending the ban on gay members and leaders. As Scouts, SfE believes discrimination goes against the values the Scouting movement teaches and has no place in BSA’s future. Since its inception, SfE has played a significant role in shaping this debate and has personalized this issue by giving it a “face” or more accurately the “faces” of the boys and young men whom this issue most directly impacts. Over 11,000* people from across the country have joined SfE and the organization, working in partnership with GLAAD and the Human Rights Campaign, has collected almost 1.8* million Change.org petition signatures supporting the elimination of this ban. (*As of May 15, 2013)

For more information, go to www.scoutsforequality.com

The Inclusive Scouting Network

Founded in 2000 shortly after the Supreme Court decision in Boy Scouts v. James Dale, The Inclusive Scouting Network (ISN) is a national network of members, leaders, and alumni of the Boy Scouts of America, scouting parents, and American citizens working to ensure that the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) fulfills its original promise that “every American boy shall have the opportunity of becoming a good scout.” ISN offers resources to help educate the public and create a safe and welcoming environment for everyone in scouting, regardless of religious beliefs or sexual orientation. ISN’s signature “Inclusive Scouting Award” patch is a small, multicolored square knot worn on the uniform that identifies the wearer as an ally to anyone who feels at risk of being expelled under BSA’s current policies. Since its introduction in 2002, the Inclusive Scouting Award has spread to every state and several foreign countries, where it is now worn by over 10,000* scouts and scout leaders, with hundreds more ordered every week. (*As of April 19, 2013.)

For more information, go to www.inclusivescouting.net.

GLAAD
GLAAD amplifies the voice of the LGBT community by empowering real people to share their stories, holding the media accountable for the words and images they present, and helping grassroots organizations communicate effectively. By ensuring that the stories of LGBT people are heard through the media, GLAAD promotes understanding, increases acceptance, and advances equality.

For more information, go to www.glaad.org.

Human Rights Campaign
The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.

For more information, go to www.hrc.org

Change.org
Change.org is the world’s largest petition platform, empowering people everywhere to create the change they want to see. There are more than 30 million users in 196 countries who use our tools to transform their communities – locally, nationally and globally.

For more information go to www.change.org