A Moraga teen denied his Eagle Scout award because of his sexual orientation received support from local officials, but the national council of scouting seemed unwilling to budge.
Ryan Andresen, 18, was denied his Eagle Scout award in 2012 and was kicked out of his Boy Scout troop after he informed his scoutmaster that he is gay, the Bay Area News Group reported.
In December, a local Eagle Board of Review, volunteer scout leaders who weigh in on an Eagle Scout candidate's eligibility, reviewed his case and recommended he be given the award.
Eagle candidates must complete a service project as well as a ream of merit badges and other requirements.
Andresen's case has received national attention: a Change.org petition requesting he be reinstated and given his award has received 500,000 signatures, including one from US Sen. Barbara Boxer.
The leaders at the local council who received the Board of Review's recommendation say that because Andresen objects to the "Duty to God" requirement in the Eagle requirements, he "is not eligible to receive the rank of Eagle."
