Scroll To Top
Arts & Entertainment

Gay Dad Booted from Kentucky Boy Scouts Chapter

Gay Dad Booted from Kentucky Boy Scouts Chapter

Scoutmaster_outx400
Nbroverman

Even with an Episcopal priest vouching for him, a 54-year-old gay man was forced to resign from his leadership role in the Boy Scout troop at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Louisville, Ky.

Greg Burke is nothing if not an exemplary role model; he's been partnered for 30 years, has two adopted children, and is gainfully employed as a systems analyst. But he's gay, and the Scouts do not allow any out person to serve in a leadership position. Three months ago Burke wrote to the Scouts leadership and told them he was an "openly gay person" and asked, "Am I welcome or not?" Apparently, it was the latter.

Other local Scout leaders in Louisville rose up and defended Burke, including Donald Overton, a priest and fellow assistant Scoutmaster.

"He upheld the highest ideals of Scouting," Overton said of Burke.

Burke remains a leader in the local Girl Scouts troop. Read more here.

Nbroverman
Advocate Channel - The Pride StoreOut / Advocate Magazine - Fellow Travelers & Jamie Lee Curtis

From our Sponsors

Most Popular

Latest Stories

Neal Broverman

Neal Broverman is the Editorial Director, Print of Pride Media, publishers of The Advocate, Out, Out Traveler, and Plus, spending more than 20 years in journalism. He indulges his interest in transportation and urban planning with regular contributions to Los Angeles magazine, and his work has also appeared in the Los Angeles Times and USA Today. He lives in the City of Angels with his husband, children, and their chiweenie.
Neal Broverman is the Editorial Director, Print of Pride Media, publishers of The Advocate, Out, Out Traveler, and Plus, spending more than 20 years in journalism. He indulges his interest in transportation and urban planning with regular contributions to Los Angeles magazine, and his work has also appeared in the Los Angeles Times and USA Today. He lives in the City of Angels with his husband, children, and their chiweenie.