[Kevin]

DUKyleXY:

That's a great list. Thanks for posting it.

That said, it's a common theme for organizations to say that they do not discriminate for certain reasons. In practice, however, we really do. I'm not saying that sexual orientation is or is not something which comes under consideration, but every chapter of every organization is unique in the way they approach these things.

To say that being gay and out would preclude you from many organizations is absolutely accurate. For example, my organization asks that voting members in the MS process consider whether the potential initiate is a man of high moral character. His sexual orientation in the minds of many brothers might play into that although, accurately, our High Council has pointed out that sexual orientation does not automatically preclude membership.

The bottom line is that while most chapters and organizations do not outwardly discriminate, the MS process is almost always performed behind closed doors under absolute secrecy. No member is required to reveal why or why not he votes the way he does in many cases.

One side of me wants to proclaim that it shouldn't be a big deal. The other side says that the people voting are 19-21 year old kids who are sometimes going to be very prejudiced for whatever reason. A gay/out potential initiate needs to bear that in mind and not have unreasonable expectations.

That said, I would highly discourage someone from keeping that part of his life secret. If you can't get into your organization as the real you, its' probably not for you.