(Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

SAN FRANCISCO — Ryan Andresen, who gained national attention when his Eagle Scout application was initially rejected by the Mt. Diablo-Silverado council after he came out as gay, has now been granted the rank of Eagle Scout by the same council, challenging the national organization’s stance.

“It’s the first in-your-face [challenge],” Bonnie Hazarabedian — who chaired the Boy Scout district review board that signed off on Ryan’s Eagle Scout application — told Reuters. “I don’t think sexual orientation should enter into why a Scout is a Scout, or whether they are Eagle material.”

“We felt without a doubt he deserved that rank,” Hazarabedian added.