Girl Scouts USA (GSUSA) has addressed recent online discussions regarding a form circulating on social media that reportedly asks parents about their child's preferred pronouns and sleeping arrangements. The form, which gained attention after being shared on social media, reportedly inquired about pronoun preferences (including "she/her," "they/them," "he/him," and "other") and sleeping arrangement preferences (including "gender inclusive" and those for "cisgender females.")
GSUSA emphasized its commitment to inclusivity, stating, "We’re proud that Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) is an inclusive organization that uplifts all girls. We are committed to creating a safe, welcoming, and supportive environment where all members are empowered to be themselves."
Accommodations for transgender youth are made with the local Girl Scout council to best support each troop and member.
GSUSA clarified that the form in question did not originate from their official website and that decisions regarding accommodations are handled at the local council level. An employee reiterated this, explaining that these matters are left to the discretion of local councils to determine the most appropriate course of action. They acknowledged ongoing conversations within various organizations nationwide concerning these issues.
Girl Scouts of America members march in support of LGBTQ rights and allyship at the Pride Parade in New York City in March 2022. (Joan Slatkin/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
The organization’s approach to transgender inclusion has been in place for several years. Their website’s FAQ section, which has existed for over a decade, addresses the inclusion of transgender girls and notes that situations involving biological males requesting to join are handled on a case-by-case basis, considering the well-being of all families.
The website also provides guidance for accommodating girls requiring special accommodations, recommending that local councils align their practices with those followed by schools nationwide concerning changing rooms, sleeping arrangements, and other travel-related activities.
Girl Scout troop leaders and volunteers carry some of one million packages of Girl Scout cookies to a van during the Mega Delivery Girl Scout cookie pickup at the Great Park in Irvine on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023. (Mark Rightmire/MediaNews Group/Orange County Register via Getty Images)
Historically, the Girl Scouts' transgender inclusion policy has sparked discussion and debate. A 2015 petition challenging the organization's stance on transgender scouts gathered a significant number of signatures.
Girls Scouts are selling cookies in the Mar Vista neighborhood at on Friday, Feb. 11, 2022, in Los Angeles. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
This year, GSUSA introduced an "LGBTQ+ Pride Month" patch, earnable by scouts through participation in specified activities. These activities vary for different age groups and include attending Pride parades, learning about LGBTQ+ history, and engaging in creative expressions of family diversity.
