At the time, Steven was 12 years old.

He partnered with ex-Scoutmaster Dave Rice, 70; together, these Scouts from opposite ends of the generational spectrum worked to raise public awareness of the BSA's policy. They quickly found they weren't entirely alone in their beliefs -- many people across the country agreed that the Scouts shouldn't discriminate against gays. Scouting for All had touched a nerve, and in communities around the country, their organizing met with emotional responses from supporters and detractors alike.

Tim Curran, the Eagle Scout who acknowledges he was "the first to find out you couldn't be gay in Scouting" (he was expelled when his sexuality was revealed), had been raising awareness of the BSA policy since 1980. James Dale, another expelled Eagle Scout, took the BSA to court in 1999 and won in the State of New Jersey. The U.S. Supreme Court then overturned the decision by a five to four vote, stating that the BSA is a private organization that can maintain whatever membership requirements it desires.

While some in Steven's community supported his gay rights campaign, other community members -- including neighbors and peers -- did not, and Steven, Dave and others were ostracized and even threatened for challenging the BSA's membership policy. Scott Cozza, Steven's father, was removed from his position as Scout Leader and Dave Rice was expelled from the BSA.

Despite his objections to the BSA's exclusion of gays, Steven continues to uphold Scouting ideals "to help other people at all times" and to be "mentally awake, and morally straight." Now a high school freshman, he's earned his Eagle rank, and continues to believe that Scouting should be open to all.