Advancing Compassion Project will present Zach Wahls and “Scouts For Equality” to discuss the impact of the Boy Scouts’ anti-gay policies – and the importance of bringing change to a national organization influencing millions of American youth:
www.AdvancingCompassion.org/event/ZachWahls
- Zach Wahls' impassioned 3 minute speech on marriage equality to the Iowa legislature became the most watched political video on YouTube with more than 20 million views in various versions: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMLZO-sObzQ
- He has since received national media recognition, appearing on The ELLEN DEGENERES Show, Late Night with DAVID LETTERMAN, The Daily Show with JON STEWART, The Last Word with LAWRENCE O'DONNELL.

Advancing Compassion Project will present Zach Wahls and Scouts for Equality in a forum to address the impact of the Scouts’ policy on their members and leaders, and the message it sends to straight kids about the acceptability of gay discrimination. The event will be hosted at First Unitarian Universalist Church of San Diego in association with their Social Justice and Rainbow Action groups as a benefit to support the ongoing work of Scouts for Equality to help bring change to the Boy Scouts and to a new generation of Americans.

In each chapter his recent book, "My Two Moms: Lessons of Love, Strength and What Makes a Family," Zach sets out how he and his family apply values of the Scouts and UU to their lives - and how they hope to bring about positive change in Americans' perspectives on what truly makes a family. Copies of his book will be available for advance purchase (at the link below), which can be personalized by Zach following the event - proceeds of the event and books are to benefit Zach's efforts with Scouts For Equality.

“As an Eagle Scout with two moms, I founded Scouts for Equality to seek an end to a policy of official discrimination by the Boy Scouts that has impacted gay scouts, their families and leaders for more than three decades,” said Zach Wahls. “I appreciate the chance to raise awareness for this important cause and thank Advancing Compassion Project for helping to support our efforts.”

“Zach Wahls is an inspiring example of a new generation of Americans bringing change to organizations like the Boy Scouts, which are not legally required to change their discriminatory policies, and so need to be shown the positive moral and ethical value of doing so,” said Tyler Dylan-Hyde, co-founder of Advancing Compassion Project. “With kids facing increasing pressures in our schools and society, and anti-LGBT bullying affecting so many, all of us have an obligation to help bring an end to policies that promote discrimination and tend to legitimize homophobia.”

Event Info:
Advancing Compassion Project Presents Zach Wahls and Scouts for Equality in a San Diego Forum on Sunday, September 23, 2012, 5:00-6:00 PM; discussion to follow.
Location: First Unitarian Universalist Church of San Diego at 4190 Front St. (across from UCSD Medical Center in Hillcrest)
Tickets: $10 Adult Advance Purchase / $15 Suggested Minimum at the Door, $5 Student/Youth
Advanced Tickets and Additional Event Information Available at: www.AdvancingCompassion.org/event/ZachWahls