Boy Scouts force out gay leader in Louisville

The father of an adopted son and daughter, Greg Bourke was revered as a leader of their Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Louisville.

“He upheld the highest ideals of Scouting,” said Donald E. Overton, a fellow assistant Scoutmaster in Boy Scout Troop 325 and an Episcopal priest.

Rick Tonini, chairman of the St. Matthews Fire Protection District, described Bourke as “a dignified leader and role model” who led troop members door to door each year helping the fire department raise money for the WHAS Crusade for Children.

And Brooke Hinkle, whose son, Seth, was in Bourke’s Cub Scout pack and Boy Scout troop, said, “Greg made Seth the person he is,” teaching him responsibility.

But while Bourke, 54, is still a leader in Girl Scout 1575, he no longer is part of the Boy Scouts. The reason: He is gay.