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Gay Ex-Boy Scout From Moraga Gets $20K Check, TV Appearance

MORAGA (CBS / AP) -- A Bay Area Boy Scout who was denied the opportunity to become an Eagle Scout and kicked out of his troop after he came out as gay has secured a considerable consolation prize: a $20,000 check for college and a national television audience.

Ellen DeGeneres booked 18-year-old Ryan Andresen of Moraga as a guest on her talk show Thursday, which was National Coming Out Day. After talking with Andresen about his experience, DeGeneres surprised him with the check provided by online photo publisher.

A Boy Scout Without a Badge by TheEllenShow on YouTube

Andresen's mother, Karen Andresen, launched an online petition last week to get the master of her son's to sign-off on a project that would allow him to become an Eagle Scout. The Boy Scouts of America has a policy prohibiting gay members or troop leaders.

(Copyright 2012 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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