Starting Wednesday , openly gay youths will be allowed to join scouting . Boy Scouts of America made the decision in May to accept them into their ranks . The resolution took effect when the new year rang in . More than 60 % of the group 's 1,400-member national council voted back then at an annual meeting in Grapevine , Texas , for the change . `` No youth may be denied membership in the Boy Scouts of America on the basis of sexual orientation or preference alone , '' the resolution said . The BSA , however , will maintain its ban on gay adult leaders .
BSA announced the decision in November . The resolution took effect with the New Year . It passed with more than 60 % of the votes of national council members . BAS does still ban gay adult scout leaders .