On Tuesday, August 25, 2015 I met with the Archbishop of Louisville, Joseph Kurtz, to discuss his decision two weeks ago to reject my application for reinstatement at my son’s Boy Scout Troop that is sponsored by one of his Catholic parishes. After other unsuccessful attempts to communicate and meet with Archbishop Kurtz on this matter, I was encouraged last week when I received the email from his office finally agreeing to discuss his decision with me. I was filled with optimism as went to the meeting, but it did not take long for Archbishop Kurtz to make it painfully apparent that he was not there to negotiate or participate in meaningful dialog. Archbishop Kurtz made it clear that my lifestyle was not in compliance with Church teaching that calls for people with “same-sex attraction” to remain “chaste”. For this reason he has deemed that I am unfit to be called a leader in a ministry like Scouting that is sponsored by one of his parishes. If Kurtz was trying to take the edge off or mend fences, he failed miserably because that message was just another massive blow to my gut and ego. I left his office feeling insulted, violated, judged, and humiliated. Archbishop Kurtz clearly feels empowered treat people with disrespect, particularly all LGBT people whom he has for years either ignored completely or insensitively insulted with his thoughts, actions and words. Kurtz has been indignant and uncompromising with his LGBT flock, and he wonders why people are leaving his churches, abandoning their faith. It is time for the just and fairness-minded people to tell Archbishop Kurtz that his hostile and insensitive approach to the LGBT community will no longer be tolerated. Greg Bourke