SOUND OFF: Eagle Scouts Give Back Badges, Medals

Eagle badges and medals—some from Somerville—are being sent back to the Boy Scouts of America to protest its reaffirmation of its policy to not grant membership to open gays, according to a Boston.com article.

According to a national blog chronicling the protests, about 150 Eagle Scouts have mailed back their awards as of late August. Scouts in Somerville, Swampscott, Fitchburg and Reading have complained about the organization's position, the Boston.com article says.

The Boy Scouts of America have confirmed that medals and badges have been returned, according to the Boston.com story.

“Each year more than 50,000 young men earn the rank of Eagle Scout, totaling to over 2 million,” said Boy Scouts national spokesman Deron Smith. “We don’t have an exact count of medals returned recently, but we have received a few. Although we are disappointed to learn of anyone who feels compelled to return his Eagle medal, we respect their right to express an opinion.”

What do you think? Should gays be allowed to join the Boy Scouts? Should medals and badges be sent back? Sound off in our comments below.