Local leaders of the Boy Scouts of America held their annual meeting in Texas on Thursday and more than 60 percent of the leaders in attendance voted to end the ban on openly gay boy scouts—but openly gay adults will continue to be banned from the organization. 

The Boy Scouts of America felt increasing pressure from corporate sponsors, who threatened to withhold funds, while some conservative churches that support local Scout units said they would leave the organization if the ban was lifted. 

About 70 percent of the more than 100,000 Scout units in The United States are chartered by religious organizations, which include some liberal churches. But many of those churches are conservative that have in the past openly supported the ban. 

The Boy Scouts of America—a 103-year-old institution—has a long history of excluding gays and atheists. 

Read the full story here.

 

Email Danielle Tarasiuk here or follow her on Twitter.