Eagle Scout Renounces His Rank In Protest Of Anti-Gay Policy

MSNBC’s Thomas Roberts speaks with Naka Nathaniel, who renounced his Eagle Scout rank in protest of its anti-gay policy and the ousting of lesbian Scout leader Jennifer Tyrrell.

Watch Roberts' interview below.

                                           

In his interview he made references to a piece he wrote for The Daily Beast over the weekend.

When I earned my Eagle Scout rank 20 years ago, I was proud of my accomplishment. When my little brother earned his Eagle 13 years later, I traveled halfway round the world to attend his court of honor. I was proud of him and my family. My parents had raised two Eagle Scouts.

Today, I’m ashamed to be an Eagle Scout.

I don’t want my son to participate in Scouting.

I would rather my son be gay than be an Eagle Scout.

The antigay policies of the Boy Scouts of America have forced me to turn my back on an organization that, along with my parents, I credit for helping me be a good son, a good husband, a good employee, and a good citizen.