Staffers quit Boy Scouts after gay fired

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SACRAMENTO, July 25 (UPI) -- Officials with the Boy Scouts in California say a summer camp staffer was dismissed because of his inappropriate dress and behavior, not because he is gay.

But 10 of the 30 employees at Camp Winton in the Gold Country of the Sierra Nevadas quit in protest, the Sacramento Bee reported. The camp is one of two operated by the Golden Empire Council of the Boy Scouts of America.

Tom Griffin, 22, an Eagle Scout, told the Bee he believes his firing was the result of the BSA's decision last week to keep its policy against homosexual members. Many of his colleagues agree.

"It was absolutely about his sexual orientation, no question about it," said Graham Littlejohn, another Eagle Scout, and one of those who quit.

But Glen Goddard, program director for the council, said Griffin had been warned repeatedly about his varnished nails and earring.

"What it came down to was his failure to comply with management regarding a uniform issue," Goddard said.

The camp closes down for the summer in two weeks.