I have some awesome news to share with you all today. Earlier this year the Girl Scouts of Western Washington received a $100,000 donation. For a non-profit organization that kind of money is a huge deal. Especially because the Girl Scouts use that money to help families in tough economic circumstances participate in the Girl Scouts. So how big a deal is $100,000? It's almost 1/3 of the Girl Scouts of Western Washington's financial assistance program budget. News of the donation had the whole office celebrating...
But then they heard the stipulation: the money could in no way be used to support transgender girls in the scouts. Then the organization had a choice - take the money and do some bureaucratic gymnastics to make sure it only supported cisgender girls or put their money where their mouth was and return the money. They took the second road and returned every cent of the money to the donor with an explanation that the Girl Scouts is for every girl.
It's not easy to stick to your principles when there's so much money at stake, but the Scouts did and we should all applaud them for that. Or go fund them...
Since the incident has gone viral the Girl Scouts of Western Washington set up an Indiegogo page to recoup their losses. And boy have they!! Their page is up to $265,000 after just two days! All that money goes towards helping girls who might not have the opportunity otherwise to participate in the Girl Scouts, who are teaching some pretty crucial skills to girls growing up in a challenging world. In their own words the Girl Scouts helps girls "use their voice to stand up for what they believe in, be proud of who they are, and support each other to take action to make the world a better place". Sounds like the people running the Western Washington branch were scouts themselves, doesn't it?
The reason this decision is so important is, I think, because transgender girls need those lessons as much, if not more than cis girls. A recent GLSEN survey found that a whopping 75% of youth feel unsafe at school. This isn't a statistic saying 75% of transgender youth are bullied at school (I'm willing to bet that figure is nearer 100%) this statistic tells us that 3/4 of transgender youth are feeling unsafe. That means lower GPAs, more missed school days, and a lower probability of continuing their education past high school.
And this isn't just a kids will be kids thing (a phrase I loathe entirely by the way because it's a way to sweep real problems under the rug and it presupposes the idea that this is a normal way to treat people). It's not only peers that are making trans folk feel unsafe - it's the institution itself. All too often trans students aren't acknowledged by the school itself. They are forced to use a bathroom that isn't consistent with their gender identity. Forced to wear clothing that isn't consistent with their gender identity. Called a name that doesn't reflect who they are. Only nineteen states* protect their students from discrimination based on gender identity! That is less than 40% of the United States.
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| States where public schools protect students from gender identity discrimination |
It's not a pretty picture. But what the Girl Scouts, and other welcoming groups, are doing is helping. It gives trans youth role models and allies to look to. And it gives cis girls who participate alongside trans girls a face to put with an idea. It won't be an abstract and with their Girl Scout training they'll be able to speak out, stand up, and make a difference. Because that's where change on this issue is coming from - not above, but below. Students are changing their schools. Sons and daughters are educating their parents.
But in some places organizations - and adults - are starting to take part. Like the Girl Scouts. And if we want the Girl Scouts to continue their support (and to encourage other organizations to do the same) we need to show ours. Think of donating if you can - or writing a letter of support if you can't.
Here is their address: 601 Valley St, Seattle, WA 98109
Their e-mail: info@girlscoutsww.org
Their phone number: (800) 767-6845
Show them your support and they'll continue to show us theirs!
Signing off,
Owl
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