California Boy Scouts Face Discrimination Allegations

For Tim Griffin, summers at Camp Winton were a tradition. Griffin, 22, was the camp’s longest serving employee and was well-liked by campers and staff.

It came as a surprise to Griffin when he was told he was no longer welcome to work at the camp by the Golden State Empire Council, the authority that leads Boy Scout activities in the Sacramento region.

The council has claimed, through a statement, that this matter was not related to the national ban on gay scouts and leaders.

Despite that claim, Griffin believes otherwise and has collected over 70,000 signatures calling for his reinstatement which he presented to the organization on Tuesday.

“Regardless of what the council gives as reasoning for my removal, the overwhelming show of  solidarity at today’s delivery tells quite a different story,” said Griffin.

Alex Hayes, Camp Winton’s Program Director, resigned along with nine other employees in solidarity with Griffin.

The Boy Scouts of America as a national organization has been the subject of controversy for its ban on accepting gay scouts and scout leaders.

The policy has drawn condemnation from both sides of the political aisle including President Obama and Governor Romney.

Garth Pickett, president of the Pacific Skyline Council, one of many local councils that serves San Mateo and Santa Clara counties, declined to comment on the incident.