For the first time in the parade's history, Boy Scouts will be marching alongside other LGBT organizations and groups in New York City's Gay Pride Parade.

The 44th NYC Gay Pride Parade will march through the streets of Manhattan on Sunday and leading the way will be a group of current and former Boy Scouts as well as volunteers. Despite the organization's history of homophobia, the Scouts will participate in the opening ceremony and parade as a protest for further progress by the organization.

Scouts for Equality, a group advocating for the inclusion of LGBT people in the organization, will be represented by its Brooklyn chapter in the parade. The group will present the American flag as the national anthem plays at the beginning of the parade.

Though last year the Boys Scouts of America (BSA) made progress by allowing openly gay Scouts to participate in the organization, gay male adults are still not allowed to participate in any fashion within the organization. However, in an attempt to raise awareness to the issue, Boy Scouts, Eagle Scouts, former scouts and volunteers will participate, according to the Advocate.

"We are grateful for this invitation from NYC Pride, and we are honored and humbled to provide this patriotic service to the LGBT community of New York," said Stacey Sarnicola, Brooklyn chapter lead of Scouts for Equality in a statement published by GLAAD Monday. "Since 1978, the BSA has held a policy that excluded gay youth and parents. While the BSA voted last year to end the policy barring gay youth from participation, it has made no change in its membership policy regarding adults. The Greater New York Councils' inclusive policy is what gave me permission to allow my son to join the Boy Scouts. It's what gives us permission to march, and it gives us hope for a BSA for all in the near future."

The Greater New York Council, which oversees over 150,000 Scouts, endorsed a non-discrimination resolution that allows for anyone to participate in the Boys Scouts; however, the national organization still has not followed that path. With their participation in the Pride Parade, they will strive to raise awareness.

"From their participation in our step-off ceremony through the moment they pass the historic Stonewall Inn, may the Scout's joint display of our nation's colors and the rainbow flag remind us all that the LGBT movement seeks not tolerance, but acceptance as equals," NYC Pride March Director Dave Studinski said, according to Pink News.