The Girl Scouts of America announced a change to one of their policies that now allows transgender kids to become members. A guest post on GSUSA's website, titled "The Meaning of 'Serving All Girls,'" from Andrea Bastiani Archibald confirmed the bold new direction the organization is taking in fostering diversity:
"The foundation of diversity that Juliette Gordon Low established runs throughout Girl Scouting to this day. Our mission to build "girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place" extends to all members, and through our program, girls develop the necessary leadership skills to advance diversity and promote tolerance.
"If a girl is recognized by her family, school and community as a girl and lives culturally as a girl, Girl Scouts is an organization that can serve her in a setting that is both emotionally and physically safe. Inclusion of transgender girls is handled at a council level on a case by case basis, with the welfare and best interests of all members as a top priority."
The Boy Scouts of America continue to lag behind their progressive sisters as bans against gay male troop leaders still exist. However, BSA President Robert Gates called for the organization to repeal the discriminatory ban today at a meeting with the organization's leadership.
