“But I don’t understand why it’s important for me to know their sexual preference. “
Because homosexuality is a sin, plain and simple. Openly adulterous men should not be pastors either. Or men that make their living stealing money, etc, etc.
Perhaps I did not make myself clear. I would expect a homosexual pastor who has been “Called” to refrain from homosexual acts. However, let’s be real here. Any clergy—including heteros—can and do sin.
My point is that as long as it is not known, the transgression is between the sinner and God. Moreover, as long as a homosexual pastor, priest or whatever teaches and that marriage is a union of a man and a woman and that homosexual ACTS are sinful, I don’t care if he/she is otherwise defective.