BREAKING: Boy Scouts Executive Committee Unanimously Votes to End Gay Adult Ban

From Left: Greg Bourke, David Knapp and Pascal Tessier | Photography by Danielle Levitt

The Boy Scouts of America's Executive Committee has unanimously approved the resolution ending the organization's ban on gay adults.

This latest milestone for the organization comes less than two months after BSA president Robert Gates called on the organization to end the ban.

According to a press release from Scouts for Equality, the change will allow each individual troop to self-determine the eligibility of openly gay or bisexual adults. The change will also prohibit regional governing councils or boy scout camps from discriminating based on sexual orientation.

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As well, leaders who have been removed from positions under the gay adult ban will be allowed to reapply for their former positions.

"For decades, the Boy Scouts of America's ban on gay adults has stood as a towering example of explicit, institutional homophobia in one of America's most important and recognizable civic organizations." said Scouts for Equality Executive Director Zach Wahls. "While this policy change is not perfect--BSA's religious chartering partners will be allowed to continue to discriminate against gay adults--it is difficult to overstate the importance of today's announcement."

A vote by the BSA's National Executive Board is expected to be conducted on July 27th. If approved, the policy change will be put into effect immediately.