NY Boy Scouts hire gay Eagle Scout in contract to national group's ban on openly gay adults

The Boy Scouts' New York chapter has hired the nation's first openly gay Eagle Scout as a summer camp leader in public contrast to the national scouting organization's ban on openly gay adult members.

The Boy Scouts' Greater New York Councils said Thursday that they have hired Pascal Tessier (TEHS'-ee-ay), an 18-year-old who has been a vocal advocate of opening the 105-year-old organization to gay scouts and leaders.

The Boy Scouts of America hasn't immediately responded to an inquiry about the hire. The 105-year-old organization changed its policy in 2013 to allow openly gay scouts but not adults.

Some local Boy Scout councils have let it be known they are open to gay employees. But the New York councils' move presents an unusually acute departure from the national policy.