Meet Pascal Tessier, The First Openly Gay Scout to Become an Eagle Scout

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Pascal Tessier, left, who is believed to be the first openly gay Boy Scout to achieve Eagle Scout status, receives his Eagle Scout badge from Troop 52 Scoutmaster Don Beckham, Monday, Feb. 10, 2014, in Chevy Chase, Md.

Here’s the full story about Pascal’s achievement and the year of activism, advocating for a change in Scout policy, that led up to it.

More pictures of the big day after the jump …

Pascal Tessier, center, takes part in an activity with Matthew Huerta, left, and Michael Fine, right, after receiving his Eagle Scout badge.

Pascal Tessier talks to friend Ariella Knab before he receiving his Eagle Scout badge.

Boy Scout Pascal Tessier, then 16, who is openly gay, responds to a reporters question Thursday, May 23, 2013, in Grapevine, Texas. Scout leaders were in Texas to vote on whether to allow openly gay boys to join the Scouts.

In this Monday, Feb. 4, 2013 photo, Pascal Tessier, 16, center left, a Scout, and his brother Lucien Tessier, 20, who had earned the rank of Eagle Scout, pose for a portrait with their parents, Oliver Tessier, left, and Tracie Felker, at their home in Kensington, Md.

In this Monday, Feb. 4, 2013 photo, Lucien Tessier, 20, who had earned the rank of Eagle Scout, right, and his brother Pascal Tessier, 16, a Boy Scout, pose for a portrait near their home in Kensington, Md.

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