US | Boy Scouts of America In Secret Ballot, Boy Scouts Vote on Gays Today It's expected to be close By Evann Gastaldo Posted May 23, 2013 6:39 AM CDT Copied Terri Hall, left, of San Antonio, stands with her son Nathaniel Hall, 8, as they hold signs near where the Boy Scouts of America are holding their annual meeting May 22, 2013, in Grapevine, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero) Today's the day: More than 1,400 Boy Scout leaders are gathered in Grapevine, Texas, to vote on allowing openly gay scouts to participate in the organization. Emotions were already running high yesterday, the New York Times reports, as dozens of protesters picketed outside the conference center with "no" signs and American flags. Today's vote will be taken by secret ballot, and it is expected to be close. NBC News has a helpful primer on the new policy (which would only allow gay scouts, not gay leaders), and what it will look like if it passes. One big point of contention: Under the proposed policy, gay Eagle Scouts would be forced to quit on their 18th birthday. Read These Next The Bezos-Sanchez wedding: guest list, cost, the dress, and more. This is why your cat loves sleeping on its left side. Trumps ends trade talks with Canada. Cops nab 9th fugitive in New Orleans, with 'one more to go.' Report an error