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2013

Out100: Greg Bourke, David Knapp and Pascal Tessier

Boy Scouts of America

Photography by Danielle Levitt

This trio embodies the contradictory state of the Boy Scouts of America's gay policy: Knapp (middle) is a former district executive who was kicked out in 1993 when the organization learned he was gay; Bourke (left), who has two kids with his partner of 31 years, was an associate scoutmaster but is now forced to limit his involvement with his son's troop; and Tessier (right), who came out in 8th grade, can stay active only until he turns 18.

"It was a bittersweet victory," Tessier says of the historic vote last May to allow gay teenagers, but not adult leaders, to serve in the movement. "I want them to feel that happiness."

But for Knapp, who first joined the Scouts in 1938 at the age of 12, there has been an unexpected silver lining to the humiliation he underwent during his expulsion. "I've done all sorts of wonderful things that never would have happened if I had not been kicked out," he says. "I just celebrated my 87th birthday at a Unitarian camp with 80 gay men holding hands in a circle, singing 'Happy Birthday' to me -- how many gay men have that happen to them?"

Photographed at Fast Ashley's Studio in Brooklyn, N.Y., on September 5, 2013

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2013

Behind the Scenes With Jim Parsons, Edie Windsor, Lee Daniels & Wentworth Miller

The four Out100 cover stars discuss what this year has meant to them

Curious how Edie Windsor handled those doves during her photo shoot? She held on tight! Watch exclusive behind-the-scenes video and interviews with the four incredible people featured on the 2013 Out100 covers.

SLIDESHOW: Out100 Covers Revealed

As Windsor explains in her interview: "I've become a kind of hero in the community...It's great fun for me, because we grew into a real community...If I had to survive Thea, what a wonderful way to do it. I live in this community full of love and joy, and I'm sure Thea would be proud and pleased as hell how I'm living."

Plus, don't miss Big Bang Theory star Jim Parsons discuss fulfilling his ultimate dream of playing a Muppet in The Muppet Movie.

See All 2023's Most Impactful and Influential LGBTQ+ People
Artists
Disruptors
Educators
Groundbreakers
Innovators
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Out.com Editors