We, the Scouting community of Broward, Miami-Dade, and Monroe Counties urge the South Florida Council to reject the Boy Scouts of America's current policy on gay members and allow all to join regardless of their sexual orientation.

I have been an active scout leader since 2000 and the scoutmaster of Troop 20 since 2001. I have always disagreed with the current BSA policy that bans gay youth and leaders. This issue became personal with me in the summer of 2012 when a young man who I had helped become an Eagle Scout and then a fine young assistant scoutmaster had his BSA membership revoked because he revealed his sexual orientation to someone who then assumed he was a pedophile and falsely accused him of such to South Florida Council leadership. This kind of discrimination in BSA has to stop.

We love the Boy Scouts, but we can’t support this policy. That's why we urge you to speak out and adopt an inclusive policy like other troops, packs, councils, and lodges across the country have done -- so the Boy Scouts can maintain its relevancy, improve recruitment, and truly live by the principles it teaches its members.

NOTE: We encourage everyone to join this campaign, but if you're a current or former Scout or leader, please say so in the "Why People Are Signing" section. Thanks!