Ohio mum Jennifer Tyrrell was ousted as an adult leader of her seven-year-old son’s Bridgeport troop in April (12) after bosses decided her sexual orientation “did not meet the high standards” set forth by the group. Her child Cruz was subsequently asked to leave the organisation as well.
And now Star Trek veteran Takei, who was a Boy Scout in his younger years, is calling for change.
He will participate in New York City’s 43rd annual LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) Pride March, alongside Tyrrell, as part of a protest this coming weekend (23-24Jun12).
He tells the New York Daily News, “I was a Boy Scout, and I have wonderful memories of my Boy Scout days and we had no issues, like what has come up in recent times. I’m saddened and shocked by the policy the Boy Scouts have.”
And the 75 year old is already looking forward to the event, adding, “The Boy Scouts are wrong in this case. She (Tyrrell) personifies all the best qualities of scouting. You got to stand up for what’s right.”
Takei isn’t the first celebrity to speak out in support of Tyrrell – actress Julianne Moore, The Hunger Games star Josh Hutcherson and singer Ricky Martin have all offered their support.
