This past fall, Girl Scouts of Colorado welcomed a new member into their ranks. This in itself is not news. However, the fact that this new scout is transgender — she is biologically male but identifies as female — meant that she faced some challenges before being allowed to join. She was originally denied entry into her local troop, but when Girl Scouts of Colorado found this out, they took action and released a statement saying, “Girl Scouts is an inclusive organization, and we accept all girls in kindergarten through 12th grade as members. If a child identifies as a girl and the child’s family presents her as a girl, Girl Scouts of Colorado welcomes her as a Girl Scout.”
Unfortunately, some scouts and parents are not pleased about this decision and are trying to organize a boycott of Girl Scout Cookies in protest of this policy. This transphobic boycott and the attitudes that inspired it create environments that condone bullying and harassment based on gender performance — something that AAUW’s most recent research report, Crossing the Line: Sexual Harassment at School, has revealed to be a major problem in schools.
The decision by Girl Scouts of Colorado to be inclusive (and to be vocal about it) is a victory for the transgender community, for whom sex-segregated spaces like the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts are so often dangerous places to inhabit. Transgender individuals are one of the most marginalized and least understood communities in our country.
The Girl Scouts as an organization was founded to give girls opportunities — in activities like hiking, sports, and camping — that were at that point considered to be for boys only. As women working to eradicate gender-based barriers in all areas, we are all well aware of the harm the gender divide can cause to those who are looking to break free from gender norms. People who are transgender are breaking those barriers every day as they go about living their lives.
We need to show solidarity with the transgender community, and many people are choosing to do so by increasing their Girl Scout Cookie orders this year. I know I will be buying a few boxes of my favorite, Thin Mints, New Year’s resolutions or not! If you don’t personally know anyone who is selling cookies, find out where to get them in your community.
This post was written by AAUW Leadership Programs Intern Jessica Kelly.
Hey, I’ve known some girls (not transgender, I might add) that are part of the Boy Scouts, I don’t see why not.
Thanks for writing this. It’s important for people to know that sex is between your legs, and gender is between your ears. Girl Scouts is about nurturing young leaders who will make the world a better place. The idea of boycotting the premier leadership organization for girls because of this issue is sexist and closed-minded.