PHOTOS: Earlier today, GLAAD and openly gay Eagle Scout Will Oliver delivered 120,000 Change.org petitions to the National Geographic Channel in Washington D.C., urging the network to denounce the Boy Scouts of America’s ban on gay scouts and leaders in anticipation of the new show, Are You Tougher Than a Boy Scout?, which premieres tonight.
GLAAD and Oliver are meeting with a National Geographic spokesperson to discuss the proposed disclaimer (above). GLAAD has also launched a social media campaign calling on supporters to tweet, Facebook and Instagram messages of equality, utilizing the show’s hashtag, #ToughScout.
“By failing to acknowledge the Boy Scouts’ discriminatory policy, National Geographic Channel is turning a cold shoulder to gay and allied viewers. Silence implies apathy towards all the Scouts and leaders who have been forced to hide who they are,” Oliver said before delivering the petitions. “Over 120,000 people have spoken — not to demand that the show be canceled — but to ask that National Geographic Channel reaffirm its core belief in non-discrimination.”
Photos: GLAAD
jackpapa
This is a fine and measured response to a huge potential gaffe of the part of the National Geographic Channel. One hopes that they will listen, and act in accordance with their own established policies, and place the disclaimer as requested.
MuscleModelBlog.com
Hopefully this petition will change their minds.
I would think that this could be a blow to them. Given the nature of their programing, I would guess that a lot of their viewers are LGBTQ or straight progressives…not adding this disclaimer could alienate some of their loyal viewers.
D9W
The link to http://www.change.org/toughscout is dead.
I am not sure as to why.
Michaelmouse1
Can someone please explain the connection to National Geographic to those, like me, who don’t know?
2eo
@D9W: http://www.glaad.org/toughscout is the site, not change.org.
D9W
@2E0 – click on that web site and do a search for the following >> signed a Change.org petition. I bet you will find a link for >> change.org/toughscout there. You cant miss it, it’s in orange.
Michaelmouse1
Thanks!
Ridpathos
Will is one cute Eagle Scout.