Tags
Girl Scout cookie boycott, Girl Scouts, inclusion, Parks and Recreation, segregation, transgender kids
My Brownie uniform
“True, all-girl experience,” those were the words of the teen named Taylor who is part of a group trying to get people to boycott Girl Scout cookies because the Girl Scouts allowed a transgender child to belong to a troop as reported by CNN Living, on January 13, 2012.
There’s so many things that I find bewildering… where to start? First, I think it’s bizarre that we have to segregate boys and girls in groups. I was a Brownie, and even 30 years ago I thought it wasn’t fair. Why couldn’t there just be Scouts so that everyone could join?
The tv show Parks & Recreation did a spoof on this recently where the boys wanted to join the girls group because it was way more fun, and an expected upset followed. Finally, Ron Swanson created a group for all kids who want to learn about survival in the wilderness. And isn’t that the bottom-line? Learning, not gender or segregation.
So where does that leave me? Yes, the group that wants to boycott the GSA and their cookies because the GS allowed a transgender child to belong. Has anyone given this group proper education about gender identity, expression and diversity? They sound like a large majority of the world that don’t understand transgender issues and discriminate against gender diverse adults and children, and isn’t that just a cry for more education?
Maybe that’s where our dollars could be going, toward gender diversity education so that our communities locally and globally have a better understanding of what our kids and their families are all about and the importance of inclusion for all people.
The great story here is how unapologetic the Girl Scouts have been about their official stance. As I have read it, their policy is something along the lines of “we accept anyone who identifies as a girl.” This is an absolutely simple and unambiguous solution, which many organizations could look to as an example.
Of course, it would be much better if their were no segregation of kids at all…but, all of the gender polarities would still be there, without very observant leadership. Maybe some day.
That’s such a great point UrbanMythCafe. There’s progress here, and it is a model for other organizations, communities and individuals. Glass is half full for sure.
How sad that a young woman can be so articulate and yet so narrow-minded! If she were pro-active reaching out to a transgender child how wonderful that would be. The transgender child wants nothing more than to be accepted as the girl that lives in her heart. She has had enough rejection already. Does anyone enjoy piling onto a defensless child? Both of my granddaughters are Girl Scouts and I proudly support them and applaud their efforts to live in a non-judgmental world.
Ciao,
Katie.
Well said, Katie. Each step shines light for the next.
Have you read about the number of member leaving or groups disbanding from the GS over admitting a (transgender) girl into the organization? Gee, one young girl has such power. Have they met her and talked to her? I bet if they met a group of girls with her, they couldn’t identify her from the rest. And that’s what they’re afraid will ruin the organization? What’s bothered me more is the media focused on those in the GS opposed and not the vast majority for inclusion of (transgender) girls. Any bets there already are (transgender) girls in the GS and no one has noticed or been bothered?
Someone should take a photo of the entire Colorado chapter of the GS with this girl and then ask all those opposed to pick “the girl” in the group. Any bets no one could if they haven’t seen a photo of her before? Do they realize all this girl wants is what any young girl wants in and from the GS?