SEATTLE – Seattle’s mayor and city council have thrown their support behind a Boys Scouts troop leader in Seattle who was dismissed last month because he is gay.
The Boys Scouts of America revoked the membership of Geoff McGrath two weeks ago after officials learned he was gay when his troop was profiled by NBC News.
Mayor Ed Murray and council members urged the Chief Seattle Council, the regional body, to defend the Rainier Beach United Methodist Church in its decision to retain McGrath as scoutmaster. The church is the troop’s chartering organization.
BSA spokesman Deron Smith said in a statement Wednesday that McGrath “is no longer eligible to serve as an adult leader.”
But the church’s Rev. Monica Corsaro says McGrath continues to lead the troop and that the church stands by him.
