The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) is proposing to lift the ban on gay youth members but continue to exclude gay adults as leaders.

The Associated Press reports BSA announced on Friday that it would submit the controversial compromise to around 1,400 voting members of its National Council at a meeting in Texas next month.

Earlier, the BSA had indicated it might give local scout units the option of admitting both gay youth members and gay adult leaders, or continuing to exclude them.

The BSA said on Friday it had changed course after receiving the results of surveys sent out this year to members of America’s scouting community.

Gay rights groups have demanded a complete lifting of the ban.

The BSA is under pressure from religious organisations which have put pressure on it not to change its policy.

In July 2012, after a two year review, the Boy Scouts of America announced it would retain its ban on gay members, volunteers and staff.

Thousands of scouts have spoken out against the policy, and more than 1.2 million Americans signed petitions against it, according to Scouts for Equality.

Teenager Ryan Andresen hit the headlines last year after he was refused the Eagle Scout badge for being gay.