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.”