Anyone remember Zach Wahls? The 19-year old University of Iowa student who spoke to Iowa lawmakers before their vote on banning gay marriage in the Iowa Constitution?

After his eloquent speech about the strength and validity of his family of two mothers, Zach finds himself in the news again as he speaks out against the Boy Scouts of America’s policy which disallows any openly gay member.

Wahls is an Eagle Scout, which is the highest possible rank in B0y Scouts. He spoke recently at the Boy Scouts of America Conference, and presented  a petition signed by 280,000 people calling for Boy Scouts to change their policy.

The woman who created the petition, Jennifer Tyrrell, is a mother of a Cub Scout who was forced to leave her leadership position by the BSA because of her sexual orientation.

The Boy Scouts of America’s values include “good conduct, respect for others, and honesty.” The skills they learn include “basic outdoor skills, first aid, citizenship skills, leadership skills, and how to get along with others.” If a boy is openly gay and a Boy Scout will he be hindered from learning these values? Should the BSA lift the ban on openly gay members?