Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Gender

Here's an interesting story about a 7 year old transgendered person living as a girl -- looks like a girl in the picture -- who wanted to join the girl scouts. The girl scouts were OK with this. They said if a person lives as a girl they can join. But the leaders of this particular troop disbanded rather than admit her.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/21/girl-scout-troops-transgender-child-disband_n_1163971.html?ref=gay-voices

There's the link. Will be interested in your thoughts.

FD

8 comments:

  1. I'm shocked that the Girl Scouts took such a progressive stance on it. The cynic in me suggests that they may have been warned they'd suffer lawsuits or bad press or such if they hadn't, but it's nice to think that they sat in a room, reasoned it out and decided on acceptance. The group disbanding is not surprising in the least, since I was born and raised in Texas. I do love this place, but we're not exactly rolling in tolerance as a whole.

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  2. sunnygirl: Very true. They do live everywhere.

    sbf: Good to see the Girl Scouts are accepting.

    Amber: yes, somewhat surprising that the Girl Scouts were so progressive. And, yes, Texas isn't noted for being rolling in tolerance.

    Heather: You have strong feelings on the subject.

    FD

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  3. Sad that the troop disbanded, but yes absolutely they should have let her in. If you are living as a girl why should you not be a girl scout if you want to be one?

    Mistress Aimee

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  4. aimee: Yes, she should be allowed to be one if she is living as a girl.

    What I am curious about that wasn't mentioned in the story is how long she has been living as a girl. She must have known at a very young age.

    FD

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  5. It gives me hope to see that the Girl Scouts let her in. That's completely as it should be. Gender these days is a very personal decision - who are we to question such a personal identification?

    As for the troops that disbanded rather than allow a transgendered girl into their ranks, shame on them. Small minded indeed.

    But despite it all, this is just one battle, not the war. And I know we will win it, it's just a matter of time.

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  6. Mme: Yes, time is our side on the battle.

    FD

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  7. Yeah it's great the Girl Scouts were able to uphold that but sad that the troop leaders itself had to be so closed minded

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  8. Florida Dom,
    This appears to have caused a great deal of controversy in North America, especially the United States but even here in Canada. I have come across numerous journal entries regarding said topic and I appreciate that people are passionate in how they feel.

    With that said though I do not believe this is as "black and white" as many believe it is. I was a girl guide (equivalent to girl scouts in Canada) and what I liked was that it was a group just for girls. I remember when Boy Scouts had to accept girls into their organisation and I was furious. I do not feel there is anything wrong or negatively discriminatory about having an organisation that is meant for one gender and one gender only.

    Now, in this particular situation it is not as simple, at least not to me. I have great compassion for this child. I understand how she would want to join a group for girls because she believes she is a girl, that she identifies as a female. The truth is though, biologically, genetically speaking she is not. Her chromosomes state otherwise. Does this mean she should be ignored? Segregated? No. Not at all. What I am saying is that this is a new situation and one that takes time, patience, knowledge and compassion for everyone before changes will be made.

    I would hope that this situation brings to light conversation, numerous conversations and that people on all sides of the spectrum listen to each other without hatred, without prejudice. All sides. I say this because I am hearing a great deal of belittling, vulgarity and rude misconduct from those who are angry with the possibility of this little girl not being allowed to participate.

    I do not believe either is right or wrong, I do not think this debate is an either or. This is a learning ground, a time to understand and grow.

    ~a

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