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KingCounty

Dave Upthegrove Councilmembe[ District

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Metropolitan King County Council April 16th, 20L4 The Honorable Rob McKenna, President Chief Seattle Council Boy Scouts of America 3120 Rainier Avenue South Seattle, WA 98114 Dear Mr I am writing to express my disappointment in the decision of the Boy Scouts of America to revoke the membership of Geoff McGrath, Scoutmaster of Troop 98, and to encourage the Chief Seattle Council to advocate on his behalf with the national organization. I understand the Boy Scouts of America is revoking the membership of Mr. McGrath solely because of his sexual orientation, despite the fact that he is the chosen Scoutmaster of the charter organization, Rainier Beach United Methodist Church. appreciate the previous positions expressed by the Board of the Chief Seattle Council, and you personally, to support a more inclusive policy within the organization- one which judges members based on the content oftheir character rather than their sexual orientation. I

Apart from my family, my experience in Scouting was the greatest influence on my values and my leadership development. I spent all of my summers during high school and college working on the staff at Camp Parsons and Camp Brinkley-eventually serving as Program Director of Camp Parsons in L994 and earning the rank of Marmot in the honorary camping society, the Order of the Silver Marmot. The Chief Seattle Council actively tried to recruit me at the time to work as a District Executive, ln addition, served for one year after college as Scoutmaster of a large Boy Scout troop. I was successful in the role-improving the youth leadership, growing the size of the troop, and receiving very positive feedback from the parents and other leaders. Serving as a Scoutmaster was one of the most difficult, but rewarding, challenges I have ever tackled. I stepped down as Scoutmaster, however, after serving just one year. I did so because I had begun to let my friends and family know that I was gay. Several years later, I became the first openly-gay State Representative to represent a legislative district outside the City of Seattle, I now have the honor of representing my community on the King County Council.

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My decision to step down as Scoutmaster was made more than fifteen years ago. Public attitudes have progressed significantly since then, and it is time for us allto take a more firm stand against

discrimination. lt is unfair and unacceptable to discriminate against someone based on their sexual orientation when their sexual orientation has no bearing on their ability to do a good job. lt is personally demeaning to those who are rejected, and it sends a horrible message to young people in the organization. Furthermore, the organization suffers when you turn away capable leaders, such as me or Mr. McGrath. Despite the tremendous benefit I received as a youth and young adult in Scouting, lam no longer allowed to participate in the organization. My experience in Scouting taught me the importance of giving back to my community-and lfind it ironic that I am not permitted to give back to the organization which instilled in me this duty to community. lnstead, my time, talent and treasure is

King County Courthouse, 516 Third Avenue Suite 1200, Seattle, WA 98104

206-477-IOO5 Fax 206-296-7050 dave.upthegrove@kingcounty,gov www.kingcounty.gov/upthegrove '@ræzuS

now spent in support of the Greater Seattle YMCA-where I serve on the local Board of Managers, contribute personal funds, volunteer regularly, and have helped raise or secure more than $Z million. The Boy Scouts of America is weakened because of their discriminatory policy and will be a lesser organization without Mr. McGrath. Too many young people have struggled in silence and too many young people have taken their own lives because of their sexual orientation. The discriminatory national policy of the Boy Scouts of America not only sends a mean and hurtful message to young people across the country, but also runs counter to the stated values of the Scout Law. A Scout is trustworthy (is honest about who they are) and a Scout is brave (has the courage to be themselves). I encourage you to please use your unique position of power as President of the Board of the Chief Seattle Councilto do everything you can to support Mr. McGrath. Thanks for your consideration,

Dave Upthegrove King County Council

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