Thank you Assemblymember Epstein for stating, "With the World Scout Jamboree taking place this month, I request that you immediately end the discriminatory gender ban prohibiting young women from earning the Eagle Rank before October 2020... I am particularly disappointed that I have not heard either of you speak out against the hurtful and potentially dangerous meme attributed to your senior adult leader, a member of your honor society, the Order of the Arrow." Please email Boy Scouts President Jim Turley and Chief Scout Michael Surbaugh and ask them to speak out against gender harassment and discrimination in the Boy Scouts. These leaders can be reached at turleyjs@gmail.com; michael.surbaugh@scouting.org; myscouting@scouting.org; effie.delimarkos@scouting.org

Here is the full letter by Assemblymember Epstein

HARVEY EPSTEIN
Assemblymember 74th District

THE ASSEMBLY STATE OF NEW YORK ALBANY

July 17th, 2019

Dear President Turley and Chief Scout Surbaugh:

With the World Scout Jamboree taking place this month, I request that you immediately end the discriminatory gender ban prohibiting young women from earning the Eagle Rank before October 2020.

I also urge you to announce that the BSA is finally awarding Sydney Ireland the Eagle Rank she has earned.

Sadly, what appears to me to be a very public resistance from you and BSA to Sydney Ireland being awarded Eagle Rank makes me doubt your commitment to equality for young women  in the Boy Scouts of America. I am particularly disappointed that I have not heard either of you speak out against the hurtful and potentially dangerous meme attributed to your senior adult leader, a member of your honor society, the Order of the Arrow. The meme, placed on social media, claimed Sydney was pregnant.  Why would you all not speak out against this type of abuse directed at a child?  I ask that you please respond to this letter and explain your position.

Sydney has completed two Eagle Projects, including one to support our veterans. From my understanding, largely through Sydney’s efforts the BSA has 100,000 new members, and can only expect to build your ranks of female Cubs and Scouts in the future. Yet it appears you are punishing her by denying her an award routinely awarded to young men.  Sydney deserves the Eagle Rank, now, not in October 2020.

I hope to see progress in welcoming all children in the BSA and particularly seeing Sydney Ireland become an Eagle Scout.  I again ask that you please contact me as soon as possible to discuss this letter and how I may be able to help you.