GRAPEVINE, Texas -- Boy Scouts are supposed to be prepared, but Thursday night, there was a national vote in Texas to allow openly gay boy scouts.
It's a controversial decision, but after months of debate, a more than 60% majority of the Boy Scouts of America voted to make the historic policy change. Openly gay youths were previously banned from every troop in the U.S.
"As long as they're cool with people and respect their boundaries it shouldn't be a problem," former Boy Scout Scottie Turner said.
"We're actually planning on getting our son in the scouts when he's older and I don't think other people, what they do in their private time, has anything to do with what they do in the troops," said Suzy Hanshell of Miamisburg.
The emotional issue has plenty of people on both sides of the fence.
"Since late January, it's been the primary focus of what Boy Scouting is and that's not what we want Boy Scouting to be. We're about positively changing the lives of youth and I think now there's a genuine sense of relief that we can get back to scouting and get past discussing and debating this issue," said Doug Nelson with Miami Valley Boy Scouts.
Nelson won't say how members from the Miami Valley voted, but he does know there are still a lot of questions surrounding the new resolution. Many people are wondering just how different scouting will be.
"Whenever policy changes are made around these types of issues, there's a risk associated with that and there's going to be an impact both good and bad," Nelson added.
The change will go into effect at the beginning of next year. It will not reverse the ban on gay adult scout leaders.
It's a controversial decision, but after months of debate, a more than 60% majority of the Boy Scouts of America voted to make the historic policy change. Openly gay youths were previously banned from every troop in the U.S.
"As long as they're cool with people and respect their boundaries it shouldn't be a problem," former Boy Scout Scottie Turner said.
"We're actually planning on getting our son in the scouts when he's older and I don't think other people, what they do in their private time, has anything to do with what they do in the troops," said Suzy Hanshell of Miamisburg.
The emotional issue has plenty of people on both sides of the fence.
"Since late January, it's been the primary focus of what Boy Scouting is and that's not what we want Boy Scouting to be. We're about positively changing the lives of youth and I think now there's a genuine sense of relief that we can get back to scouting and get past discussing and debating this issue," said Doug Nelson with Miami Valley Boy Scouts.
Nelson won't say how members from the Miami Valley voted, but he does know there are still a lot of questions surrounding the new resolution. Many people are wondering just how different scouting will be.
"Whenever policy changes are made around these types of issues, there's a risk associated with that and there's going to be an impact both good and bad," Nelson added.
The change will go into effect at the beginning of next year. It will not reverse the ban on gay adult scout leaders.