Chuck Norris has been called “out of
touch” for suggesting that President Barack Obama influenced James
Turley to speak out against the Boy Scouts of America's policy
banning openly gay scouts and leaders.
Turley, the CEO of Ernst & Young,
announced
his opposition to the gay ban nearly two weeks ago.
In an op-ed titled Is
Obama Creating a Pro-Gay Boy Scouts of America? published at
AmmoLand.com, Norris, the 72-year-old star of CBS' Walker, Texas
Ranger, which ended in 2001 after 8 seasons, suggested that Obama
influenced Turley to speak out.
“Is it a coincidence that Turley is
in tight cahoots with the White House and that he is the only BSA
national board member in 100 years to oppose its pro-traditional
family stance?” he wrote.
“Is it a coincident that Turley just
announced his resignation as CEO of Ernst & Young (effective June
2012) and that he is now offering the White House a parting pro-gay
BSA gift in gratitude for all its presidential favors to him and
Ernst & Young over the past few years?”
Jennifer Tyrrell, the Ohio mom who
launched a Change.org petition to bring awareness of the policy after
she was ousted as den leader of her son's Boy Scout troop because
she's a lesbian, called Norris' views on the subject “out of
touch.”
“Since I was ousted as a scout leader
I have been flooded with support from local parents, scouts and
hundreds of thousands of Americans,” Tyrrell said in
a statement released through GLAAD. “Chuck Norris is clearly
out of touch and I'd like for him to sit down with my family and
fellow scouting families who support us. My orientation wasn't an
issue in my son's pack until the Boy Scouts made parents tell their
children why their favorite den leader was no longer able to
participate. With the U.S. military, the Girls Scouts of the USA,
the 4-H Club and the Boys & Girls Club among organizations that
allow gay Americans. The time is now to end the ban.”
GLAAD spokesperson Rich Ferraro noted
that GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney spoke out in favor of
ending the ban in 1974.
“Chuck Norris should talk to Mitt
Romney, who Norris endorsed for President and who has said on the
record that all Americans should be able to participate in the Boy
Scouts of America regardless of sexual orientation,” said Ferraro.
“Hundreds of thousands of Americans have recently signed a
Change.org petition and called on an end to the ban including
celebrities Josh Hutcherson, Benicio del Toro, Julianne Moore, Joshua
Jackson, Kat Graham and Dianna Agron. Celebrities who support gay
Americans are enjoying popular careers while Chuck Norris appears to
be a fame-hungry has-been with poor research skills.”