I have been searching for a forum such as this for a long time, gentlemen, and am glad I finally have the opportunity to express my opinion to a larger audience.
I was a scout growing up and naturally was excited to have my eight-year old son join the cub scouts last year. At the time, it was announced during the opening meeting that there was a huge shortage of den leaders and volunteers were desperately needed. Being an active father in my children's extracurricular activities, I readily volunteered.
I am gay. However, I am about as "unavowed" as a man gets. I am straight-acting, out only to close friends and family, and am married (though as a matter of covenience) to a wonderful woman. We raise our children (all from previous marriages) as mother and father and very few are privy to the knowledge of my sexuality.
My ex-wife decided to divulge the information of my sexuality to the scout master and I was told, on no uncertain terms, that it "is not a matter of don't ask, don't tell" and I would not be allowed to apply for the position. Funny, I could serve my country in the Army Reserves as a medic being a gay man, but couldn't actively participate in my son's scouting experience.
Needless to say, my son is no longer a member of the scouts and my two nephews have been pulled out as well once I disclosed this story to my (straight) brother. Neither of us want our children involved in a biggoted organization regardless if the discrimination is against ethnicity, religion, race, gender or sexual orientation. Our children have been brought up with tolerance for other's differences, which obviously is not a value of your organization.
Times have changed, gentlemen. A gay man is no longer a "fag", much less a child-molester. Perhaps it's time you reevaluate your values.
