In Secret Ballot, Boy Scouts Vote on Gays Today

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. (More Boy Scouts of America stories.)