Buy LOTS of Girl Scout cookies!

Have you heard? A 14-year-old girl in California is requesting people participate in a national boycott of girl scout cookies because the organization admitted a 7-year-old transgender child to a Colorado troop this past November, 2011. (Read original story here) While this is not the first time the issue has been challenged (a few troops disbanded after the decision to admit transgender children), this young girl make the broadest and most wide-ranging claims by far.  The young girl, a teenager for Ventura, CA, claims the organization uses proceeds from the cookie sales in "promoting the desires of a small handful of people."

This video was released by a group called the "Honest Girl Scouts." While this teen is entitled to her own opinion and has the right to voice her opinion, I'd like everyone to consider a few things (and certainly post comments on this entry with feedback, questions, concerns, etc.).


I participated in Girl Scouts when I was younger. As I recall, many of the badges and activities we did were meant to bring awareness to friendship, helping others, support, and inclusivity. Where did these goals and values go?


And, what happened to the song I personally remember singing in Girl Scouts? Make New Friends?  The song lyrics include:  "You have one hand, I have the other. Put them together, We have each other."  And, "Silver is previous, Gold is too. I am precious, and so are you." Finally, "You help me, and I'll help you and together we will see it through."


I've spent time today reading comments, other blogs, and reviewing past responses on youtube from Fall 2011 when the Colorado troop was deciding whether to allow transgender children. It seems many people are equating sexual orientation to gender identity. Two VERY different things. Several comments I read mentioned camp-outs and sleep-overs as problematic because of possible sexual attraction. If the reasoning for NOT allowing transgender children into this organization is fear of sexual attraction, then doesn't this same rationale exclude girls who identify as lesbian? What do you think about this? 

In response to videos and groups such as those mentioned above, a national Girl Scouts spokeswoman, Michelle Tompkins, said the organization, "prided itself on being an inclusive organization serving all girls grom all walks of life." 


For this very reason I say: Let's buy Girl Scout cookies! Let's buy lots of 'em! Thin mints, Samoas, Tagalongs, Dulce de Leche...yum, yum, yum! I for one will be supporting this organization that respects every person's right to be who s/he is. 


P.S. I recognize cookies are not overly healthy, but remember, you don't have to eat all the cookies at once (or you can :) and, you can always consider buying boxes and donating them to your local homeless shelter, safe shelter, and/or other organizations. For me, human rights will always win over human weight.