 On May 23 , 2013 , 61 % of the 1 @,@ 400 @-@ member BSA National Council voted to remove the restriction denying membership to youth on the basis of sexual orientation while emphasizing that any sexual conduct , whether heterosexual or homosexual , is not allowed . The resolution went into effect on January 1 , 2014 , but Scout leaders who were " open and avowed homosexuals " were still prohibited . The policy specifically states that BSA does not inquire into a person 's sexuality . Gay rights groups hailed the decision , but vowed to press on until all gay members were accepted . Some churches and conservative members threatened to quit the Boy Scouts in response . On June 12 , 2013 , the Southern Baptist Convention passed non @-@ binding resolutions urging the BSA not to change their policy . In September 2013 , a new Scouting group called Trail Life USA was created . Subsequently , some Christian denomination congregations replaced their Boy Scouts of America troops with those of Trail Life USA . 
