NY Boy Scouts Hire Gay Eagle Scout, Defying National Policy

Published April 3, 2015 at 12:40 PM EDT

Pascal Tessier, 16, (center left), a Boy Scout, and his brother Lucien Tessier, 20, who had earned the rank of Eagle Scout, pose for a portrait with their parents, Oliver Tessier, left, and Tracie Felker, at their home in Kensington, Md., on Feb. 4, 2013. The two Tessier boys enjoyed Cub Scouts, progressed to Boy Scouts, and continued to thrive there even as many in their troop became aware that each boy was gay. The family hopes the BSA's top leaders officially scrap the ban so that open acceptance becomes the norm for Scout units nationwide. (Jacquelyn Martin/AP)

The Greater New York Councils of the Boy Scouts has announced that it hired a gay Eagle Scout to work as a camp counselor this summer. The move goes against the national Boy Scouts of America policy that openly gay adults are not allowed to serve as leaders.

Ricky Mason, a board member for the Greater New York Councils of the Boy Scouts, speaks with Here & Now’s Robin Young about the group’s decision to hire 18-year-old Pascal Tessier.

Guest

Richard (Ricky) Mason, board member for the Greater New York Councils of the Boy Scouts.

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