Kids Of LGBT Parents Speak Out

From the Family Equality Council:

When Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote his landmark opinion in Windsor V. United States, a critical tenet of his opinion was that the voices of the children of LGBT parents should be considered in the marriage debate. For several years, opponents of marriage equality have built their movement on the argument that loving, committed couples must be denied marriage because of a fictional harm to children. Their rallying cry became "children deserve a mother and a father" and it has been used as a basis to deny equality to the millions of families with LGBT parents raising children.

In the recent Supreme Court cases, the voices of these children provided direct evidence to the contrary. In fact, the kids are indeed alright, and the nation is starting to hear what they have to say about their families. Nothing speaks louder than the simple truth of the day-to-day lives of these young people and the parents who have raised them. There is no better argument for treating all families, including theirs, with the dignity respect and they deserve, and the full equality under the law that is theirs by right.

LGBT Groups React To Boy Scouts Change

Scouts For Equality

“The Boy Scouts of America can do better,” said Zach Wahls, an Eagle Scout and Executive Director of Scouts for Equality. “We welcome the news that the ban on gay Scouts is history, but our work isn’t over until we honor the Scout Law by making this American institution open and affirming to all.”

Human Rights Campaign

Today is a historic day for Boy Scouts across the country who want to be a part of this great American institution. But the new policy doesn’t go far enough. Parents and adults of good moral character, regardless of sexual orientation, should be able to volunteer their time to mentor the next generation of Americans.

Family Equality Council

"Every Boy Scout, on their honor, first pledges to do their best,” said Family Equality Council Spokesman Steve Majors. “This is a step in the right direction, but it’s not the best the Boy Scouts can do. The Boy Scouts of America have sent a hurtful message to Scouts with LGBT parents that their moms and dads are not welcome as leaders alongside other parents. As a father of two girl scouts and the proud partner of an Eagle Scout, I know that Scouting has a long tradition of being a family activity and the Boy Scouts should be open to all our families.”

National Gay & Lesbian Task Force

This vote marks a monumental step forward for the Boy Scouts of America. We are thrilled for the gay youth who will no longer be turned away from scouting simply because of who they are. As we celebrate this moment, we know the work isn’t complete. The Boy Scouts of America still discriminates against qualified adults who are denied the opportunity to participate in leadership positions because they are gay. Fairness is a fundamental American principle — it’s not to be sliced, diced, divvied up and dictated by prejudice.

GLAAD

This major victory for gay youth is thanks to you and the millions of other Americans who took action. Now we need you to share the news, and press for a full nondiscrimination policy. Gay youth can now participate in Scouting, which is a huge WIN. But gay Scout leaders - like former den mother Jennifer Tyrrell - are still banned from the Boy Scouts. This is the time to keep up the pressure. We won't stop until the Boy Scouts of America removes the ban on gay and lesbian parents and leaders.

Activists Have The Boy Scouts Gladz

Zach Wahls Speaks To There Are Giants

Zach Wahls has been interviewed by There Are Giants, a site devoted to very tall men, where he talks about activism, Harvey Milk, his moms, and his plans for after college. Tall dudes might also appreciate his clothing tips.

Zach Wahls At Obama Fundraiser

Video by JMG reader Sean Chapin.

Zach Wahls Speaks At The DNC

Zach Wahls To Speak At DNC

Wow! Amazing! Other sputtering superlatives!

Zach Wahls Speaks To The BBC

Zach Wahls For President Obama

Posted to the Obama campaign's YouTube channel.

Zach Wahls On His Boy Scouts Campaign

Speaking at Netroots with Think Progress blogger Zack Ford.

SiriusXM's Michelangelo Signorile Interviews Zach Wahls At Netroots

Eagle Scout Zach Wahls Delivers 275,000 Petitions To Reinstate Lesbian Den Mother

GLAAD reports:

Outspoken advocate, author and Eagle Scout, Zach Wahls, today delivered more than 275,000 signatures to the Boy Scouts of America at its National Annual Meeting in Florida, calling on the group to end its long history of anti-gay discrimination and reinstate Ohio mom Jennifer Tyrrell, who was forcibly removed as den leader of her son’s Boy Scouts troop because she’s gay. After delivering the signatures, Wahls met briefly with Deron Smith, Public Relation Director with the Boy Scouts of America’s national office.

Zach Wahls Interviewed By ReasonTV

Zach Wahls: My Two Moms