GRAPEVINE, Texas (AP) - After a wrenching debate, local leaders of the Boy Scouts of America have voted to open their ranks to openly gay boys for the first time.

However, heated reactions from the left and right make clear that the BSA's controversies are far from over.

The Scouts' ban on gay adults remains in force, and many liberal Scout leaders - as well as gay-rights groups - plan to press for an end to that exclusion.

Meanwhile, many conservatives within the Scouts are distraught at the outcome of the vote and some are threatening to defect.

The vote was conducted by secret ballot Thursday during the National Council's annual meeting. Of the roughly 1,400 members of the council who cast ballots, 61 percent supported the proposal.

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