There are some people who show you the spirit of warmth around the holiday season and some that show you they’re clearly unfamiliar with that kind of thing. The Colorado Girl Scouts is of the former kind and here’s to them for defending and including transgender children in their organization.
The issue came to light in the story of Bobby Montoya, a 7 year-old transgender child who wanted to be a Girl Scout but was denied by a local troop leader the Huffington Post reports. The leader not only denied Bobby entry but said to mom, Felisha Archuelta, “What do you call it, a boy or a girl?” She also noted that the name “Bobby” would identify the child as a boy loud enough for Bobby to hear. The comment had Bobby in tears and afraid she’d have to change her name.
“They were only making s’mores!” Archuleta said. “She humiliated him in front of everyone.”
Bottom line: The Girl Scouts of Colorado released a statement through GLAAD this week in support of Felisha and Bobby, saying “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.” Rachelle Trujillo, VP for Communications for the Colorado Girl Scouts added, in part “We don't require any proof of gender.” Nice!
But wait! There’s s’more! (Did you see what we did there?)
The Girl Scouts policy on transgender children has prompted three Girl Scout leaders at a Christian School in Louisiana to resign and dissolve their troops over the Colorado decision.
Way to make the 7 year-old look like the mature one. Happy Holidays, Mean Girls!