In January 2011, then 19-year old Zach Wahls spoke before the Iowa House Judiciary Committee ahead of a vote that would have repealed same-sex marriage in the state. A video of his speech was uploaded to YouTube that evening, and in the hours and days that followed, Wahls found himself thrust into the national gay rights debate.
Wahls has since worked on gay acceptance in the Boy Scouts of America and has toured the country, speaking to students in colleges and high schools. He's also written a New York Times bestseller, “My Two Moms,” which brings him to Atlanta for a June 27 reading at the Friends School, sponsored by Charis Books & More and Atlanta Pride.
GA Voice spoke with Wahls about growing up with two moms, his goals and aspirations for the future, and why it's important to put the toilet seat down.
Iowan thrust into national spotlight after viral video brings memoir to Atlanta today
Today, the Southern Baptist Convention, meeting in Houston, voted to approve a resolution showing its dismay with the recent decision by the Boy Scouts of America to allow openly gay youth members.
From the SBC website:
The Boy Scouts of America emailed members and parents over the weekend asking their thoughts on the organization's ongoing gay ban, the LGBT news outlet Dallas Voice reported yesterday.
From the Dallas Voice:
“The Boy Scouts of America is in the process of a careful and deliberate review of our membership policy, as it relates to the national membership restriction regarding sexual orientation,” the BSA wrote in an email announcing the survey. “We are dedicated to the integrity of this process. In an effort to listen to our members’ perspectives and concerns, we ask you to answer some questions about this topic and about your overall Scouting experiences.”
Carly Rae Jepsen refuses to play Boy Scouts event over org's stance on gay scouts
Carly Rae Jepsen, the singer known for the catchy pop tune "Call Me Maybe," announced Tuesday via Twitter she will not perform for the Boy Scouts based on the non-profit youth organization's ban on gay members and volunteers.
“As an artist who believes in equality for all people, I will not be participating in the Boy Scouts of America Jamboree this summer," Jepsen tweeted.
Jepsen and rock band Train were scheduled to headline the 2013 National Scouting Jamboree, set for July 15-24 at the Summit Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve in West Virginia.
Not even a recent statement of support made by President Barack Obama could persuade the Boy Scouts of America's board of directors today to lift the ban on openly gay scouts and organization leaders.
BSA announced last week that it would take up the issue at its next board meeting. A statement from the BSA released last week signaled a willingness to lift a ban on gay scouts, but such a ban continues.
“After careful consideration and extensive dialogue within the Scouting family, along with comments from those outside the organization, the volunteer officers of the Boy Scouts of America’s National Executive Board concluded that due to the complexity of this issue, the organization needs time for a more deliberate review of its membership policy,” the organization said via a prepared statement after their Board meeting concluded.