PETA Offers Merit Badges for LGBT Scouts

Merit badges offered in wake of exclusionary policy

A scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent. And heterosexual, according to an anonymous committee of 11 volunteers and professional leaders representing the Boy Scouts of America.

Earlier this week, the scouts clarified a controversial discrimination policy (coined “exclusion” in BSA press releases) after several public outcries for change -- including one from a lesbian mother from Ohio who came to Irving this week to hand-deliver a petition with 300,000 signatures calling for the board to change their policy.

Now, the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, commonly referred to as PETA, have created their own merit badge for LGBT youth -- and their allies -- who have helped animals in their communities.

"PETA's merit badge is a small way to let gay kids know that they can make a difference in their community -- even if close-minded people say they can't,” said PETA Senior Vice President Dan Mathews.

More information about the new badge is available on PETA's blog.

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