Boy Scouts welcome gay youth for the first time, but leadership ban remains

The Boy Scouts of America opened its doors to openly gay members for the first time on Wednesday, marking a major reversal of policy brought on by years of advocacy from LGBT groups and allies. The change comes more than six months after the Boy Scouts' National Council approved ending the ban and instituted a policy that forbids any applicant younger than 18 from being denied admittance based on their sexual orientation. Advocates say they plan to push the Boy Scouts of America to end their longstanding ban on admitting openly gay adult Scout leaders, which was left in place. 

"We know that change won't happen overnight, and we're ready to do the work," said Zach Wahls of Scouts for Equality.