Why Did Girl Scouts Turn Down A $100,000 Donation? Transphobia

$100,000 buys a lot of Thin Mints, but for the Girl Scouts of Western Washington, no amount of money is worth giving in to prejudice. The organization recently returned a six-figure donation because the donor asked that the money not be used to support trans girl scouts. "Girl Scouts is for every girl," Council CEO Megan Ferland told the Seattle Met. "And every girl should have the opportunity to be a Girl Scout if she wants to." According to the organization's website, the Girls Scouts have been proudly trans-inclusive, "on a case-by-case basis, with the welfare and best interests of the child and the members of the troop/group in question a top priority," for years. Earlier this year, the Girl Scouts changed its official rule book to include trans youth, which prompted a backlash from conservative pundits and activist groups. As the Advocate reported, there is now an Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign to make up for the lost funding, and it's already raised more than $60,000. Donations help pay fees for girls who otherwise would not be able to afford to join troops or go to Girl Scout camp. The troop said, "Our vision at Girl Scouts of Western Washington is that EVERY girl in our region — regardless of her race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or geographic location — is empowered to unleash her potential, build her future, and transform her world." The Girl Scouts of the USA did not immediately respond to a request for comment. This post will be updated.