Another leader in the Boy Scouts of America was forced to resign because he’s gay. Greg Bourke, father of two was a scout leader for both the Boys and Girl Scouts for Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church until his dismissal. Bourke had been a volunteer for five years and an assistant troop leader for three years.

Bourke says he was forced to resign while executive of Bourke’s troop group Barry G. Oxley claims that Bourke “disclosed he did not meet Scouting’s membership standards” which led to him being asked to resign. Originally Bourke refused to quit his position until he was told by the pastor of his church that the troop would lose funding if he didn’t resign. Oxley also stated that Bourke can still be involved as a parent and that “our members to treat those with different opinions with courtesy and respect at all times and to adamantly oppose the mistreatment of others based on any perceived difference.”. But is this not mistreatment forcing a man that has excelled at volunteering and others within the troop showing their support?

In July,  Bob Mazzuca, executive of the Boy Scouts, released a statement on the orgaanization’s policy on homosexuality:

“vast majority of the parents of youth we serve value their right to address issues of same-sex orientation within their family, with spiritual advisers, and at the appropriate time and in the right setting.”

This statement coincides with a prior statement made on the organization’s website after the Supreme Court ruling in 2000 that reaffirmed their right to refuse and dismiss openly gay members because they have the right under the First Amendment to express themselves freely in private or public:

 ”must have the right to establish its own standards of membership if it is to continue to instill the values of the Scout oath and law in boys. Thanks to our legal victories, our standards of membership have been sustained. We believe an avowed homosexual is not a role model for the values espoused in the Scout oath and law.”

Bourke says that he fears for the Scouts that come out as gay and are rejected from the close minded orgnaization commenting, “What kind of organization does that?”

The Boy Scouts and their refusal to accept LGBT has made several headlines and media coverage. Last month, Tim Griffin, leader at a Boy Scout camp, was fired after he disclosed that he’s gay. Griffin is currently seeking his job back after he delivered a petition to Boy Scout executives with over 70000 signatures. Also in April, Den Mother Jennifer Tyrell was also forced to resign after the organization discovered that she’s a lesbian.

Again I ask, with this mode of thought, are parents that have children who are gay supposed to keep their children at home? Isn’t the Boy Scouts supposed to teach you how to live within the environment and acceptance and leadership? What do executives and other Boy Scout officials think they’re teaching by saying LGBT aren’t welcome? I’m not saying the Scouts have to teach sexuality but I definitely think they should teach acceptance and this mindset is not that.