7-year-old Bobby Montoya was born biologically male, but identifies as a girl. He wears dresses, has long hair and – just like his sisters – wanted to be a Girl Scout. Initially, the organization decided not to let Bobby join, but that decision was later reversed through the following statement:
If a child identifies as a girl and the child’s family presents her as a girl, Girl Scouts of Colorado welcomes her as a Girl Scout.
Bobby is now a Girl Scout and, personally, I applaud the decision and hope that it’s upheld nationwide. Unlike the notoriously homophobic Boy Scouts (of which I was once a member), the Girl Scouts are charting a course of inclusivity and acceptance.
Meanwhile, a 14-year-old Girl Scout from California identified only as Taylor uploaded a video to YouTube that quickly went viral – before it was later removed. Taylor blasted the Girl Scouts for their decision to accept 
Bobby, and encouraged all viewers to boycott the organization’s annual cookie sale fundraiser. The video was incredibly transphobic and generated a flurry of negative comments.
After watching Taylor’s Girl Scout boycott video, it had the opposite effect on me. For the first time in my life, I bought Girl Scout cookies. It’s a small way to show support for an organization that has come under fire for doing what is fair and just.
If a Girl Scout comes knocking on your door, I’d encourage you to consider doing the same.
January 25, 2012 at 10:52 am
Great post and message, Davey. Just a quick note – it would be more appropriate to refer to Bobby as a girl, not a boy, since that’s how she identifies herself – “He wears dresses…” should be “She wears dresses…”
January 25, 2012 at 11:00 am
I agree! Was thinking the same myself.
January 25, 2012 at 11:41 am
yup, for sure Davey please check your pronoun usage. Thanks!
January 25, 2012 at 1:23 pm
Yeah i agree, it really made me happy when i started seeing positive posts on here this year about transpeople, but please respect us as well as supporting us.
January 26, 2012 at 3:00 am
Thanks for clearing that up. I am often confused about which pronoun to use in referring to a transgender person.
January 26, 2012 at 3:01 am
I think you should have used “it.”
February 3, 2012 at 1:39 pm
Teo considering the offensiveness of that comment, i think your pronoun should be c*nt, fortunately i don’t believe I have the right to force rude and/or inaccurate pronouns on other people so i wouldn’t address you that way.
Think before you type.
January 25, 2012 at 10:52 am
It also makes you wonder if it was really the 14-year-old Taylor expressing her OWN opinions, or perhaps an upset parent using a young face to get his or her message across…
January 25, 2012 at 10:52 am
If you don’t want the cookies for yourself, you can buy them for the troops instead… or just give a donation to your local Girl Scout troop.
January 25, 2012 at 10:53 am
Great post and it is comforting to see the Girl Scouts accepting of this.
However, the one thing that bothered me about this particular post was the site you linked off to (TheBlaze.com). I’m not sure if there was reasoning behind or if it was simply the first result in your web search. To be quite honest this is the last site I would have linked off to for this particular story. Go through the comments on the story at TheBlaze and you’ll see most of them are the exact opposite of the acceptance that the Girl Scouts of America has shown.
Just my personal opinion.
January 25, 2012 at 11:17 am
Have you read the comments on that first linked article? There are some really closed-minded, bigoted pigs in this world!
January 25, 2012 at 11:20 am
Great to see that not every group thinks the same way, good on them for doing the right thing in this day and age.
January 25, 2012 at 12:09 pm
This seems to be a little bit strange for me. Considero que la responsabilidad de los padres de una criatura de 7 años es acompañar a su hijo mediante la educación, lo cual se resume básicamente en dos conceptos: límites y amor. Sin embargo, este caso me deja bastante perplejo. No pongo en duda la capacidad de los padres de este niño de proporcionarle una buena educación, pero pienso precisamente porque creo que un niño es un niño y no una niña o un tractor, que la obligación de los padres es adecuarse al sexo del niño y vestirle como tal. No soy sicólogo, pero a esas edades, ¿qué nivel de comprensión de las diferencias entre hombres y mujeres tiene un niño? ¿No es lógico pensar que los padres y el resto de su entorno deben tratarlo como a un niño, aceptando sus condicionantes (como no puede ser de otro modo), y que si al llegar a la adolescencia manifiesta un conflicto de género deberá ponerse en manos de un tratamiento adecuado a tal trastorno?
Eso pienso yo. Bobby Montoya is a 7 year old boy. He is not a girl. That is not a good way to grow sbdy up.
To sum up, I desagree with Bobby Montoya´s parents and the decision to dress him as a girl.
January 25, 2012 at 12:27 pm
Iñigo: Bobby es una chica si quiere ser chica. No entiendes las problemas de un transsexual porque no eres transsexual, y no es un decision, es biologico. Hay muchos transsexuales que intentan (o succede) en comitir suicidio antes que transformarse en chico o chica. Es mejor que todo los transsexuales se mueren proque to no crees que su genero es valido.
Davey, watch your pronouns. Apart from that, nice post. Doesn’t Bobby have a name though?
January 25, 2012 at 12:43 pm
Sigo sin estar de acuerdo. Un niño de 7 años no está desarrollado ni sicológica ni físicamente, y si ese niño manifestara una vez llegada su adolescencia que desea cambiar su sexo, tal y como disponen los manuales de medicina, debería someterse al proceso que implica tal cambio. Pero un niño de 7 años necesita límites en la misma medida que necesita afecto, del mismo modo que no debe ver satisfechas todas sus apetencias. No puede comer siempre helado. No puede tener todos los juguetes. Debe ir al colegio. Debe vestirse como un niño. Esto no implica traumatizarlo, implica educarlo. No creo que vestirlo de niña sea correcto, y me parece que esto sería una idea defendida por cualquier sicólogo.
January 25, 2012 at 12:29 pm
I’d just like to point out that before I hit puberty, I honestly knew I was a boy. I was your stereotypical boy child, even when my mother tried to force me to wear dresses and convince me I should play with barbies. When I hit puberty, I became depressed, suicidal, and self-destructive. That went on for years. I am now, in my twenties, finally starting to heal, as I’ve made it clear to myself. I am a male, no matter what. No matter who tries to make me act otherwise, to make me deny that truth. All I wish, is that my mother would’ve let me be who I am when I was a child. I am glad Bobbys parents have understood. They will most likely save her from lot of pain in the future, which is what most trans-people will go through when their parents won’t let them be who they are when they are growing up. And when they have to deal the hardship and confusion that’ll happen when puberty hits, when no one is there to understand what they’re going through. To help them.
January 25, 2012 at 12:41 pm
Nice post Davey!! Is there a website or sumthin that I can order girl scott cookies from CO…. Id lik 2 support them!!!
January 25, 2012 at 1:11 pm
It’s still up…
http://vimeo.com/35070397
January 25, 2012 at 1:19 pm
when it comes time to buy Girl Scout Cookies-certainly im buying them-i dont eat cookies-but i will give them away.i always thought the Girl Scouts did the right thing-here you have proof.time to buy.
January 25, 2012 at 3:33 pm
Iñigo… Yo no estoy de acuerdo con tu opinión. Trabajo con jóvenes que tengan dificultades educativas, sociales, etcétera. Y yo sé que los niños saben quien y como son. Entonces, Bobby sabe que es niña y quiere vestirse así. No pasa nada. ¿No crees que lo mejor sería que la ropa no depende del sexo? Y si los padres de Bobby insistan que se viste como niño, puede causar tanto daño a su salud mental, ¡o quizá más!
And for those who don’t speak Spanish. I don’t agree with Iñigo’s opinion. I work with young people who have educational, social or other difficulties. So I know that young people know who and how they are. Therefore, Bobby knows she’s a girl, and if she wants to dress that way, then it’s fine. And don’t we all think that it’s wrong that clothing has to depend or delimits sex? Also, if Bobby’s parents made her dress as a boy, then that could cause just as much mental damage, if not more!
January 27, 2012 at 12:21 am
@Michael Gedrim:
Thanks for the translation,Michael !! My Spanish is pretty rudimentary,but I thought that’s what Inigo said [sorry I was right]._Certainly agree with you,Michael.
January 25, 2012 at 3:49 pm
I love the Girl Scouts for this. I just wanted to mention though that Girl Scout cookies promote deforestation for their ingredients. I won’t buy their cookies until that’s changed but I still support them through other things. At least there are scouts who realize this and are trying to change this.
January 25, 2012 at 5:07 pm
Need some feedback. I’m tired of the closet! I want to post on my Facebook that I’m gay. Any suggestions?
January 25, 2012 at 5:09 pm
Suggest you just remove the orientation altogether. Those who are ready to know may ask. It may come up in conversation. Word will spread, more people will ask. When they ask, they’re ready to know. Just say “yes, I am, thanks for asking,” and go back to whatever you were doing. Good luck, Patrick!
January 27, 2012 at 12:26 am
@Patrick:
Good for you,Patrick,
However,why not post on Davey’s youtube Out Stories,or post on youtube,yourself ? There are many very good independently posted “out” vids there.
January 25, 2012 at 5:25 pm
Except that’s the thing. This has happened except for the fact that word won’t spread! I’m trying to pour motor oil on wild fire but it won’t burn brighter and spread! I want. I to find some else gay so I thought that they could come to me. Since I would be out. And I don’t want to flaunt it around. And if one more rude thing is said in the lockerroom to I’m going to flip and yell at them exposing me. Wait that would work!
January 25, 2012 at 9:25 pm
Unfortunately, Patrick, the “rude things” in the locker room will continue…And don’t worry about trying to “spread the word.” Yes, it’ll be nice to find someone else that is gay, but just keep an ear out. There are other gays looking for guys just like you. It’s difficult to be patient, but they’re out there. No need to “flaunt it around.” All in good time.
January 26, 2012 at 2:15 am
@Patrick:
Patrick:
Hunh?…Very hard message to understand___Are you saying that you are transgendered?
Best,
bill(Guillermo3)
January 25, 2012 at 7:13 pm
My boyfriend and I just brought 4 boxes a week ago. They’re delicious.
January 25, 2012 at 7:31 pm
Yet another reason why I am going to probably buy another box of thin mints this year.
January 25, 2012 at 7:52 pm
I not only bought some, I tripled my usual order. You go, Girl Scouts of Colorado!
January 25, 2012 at 7:58 pm
Hello Davey,
I found your blog when I was searching on this topic.
I started Girl Scouts when I was in Kindergarten and actively participated in it up to my senior year of high school at which point I registered as a lifetime member. We even had a girl who was transgender in our troop and it never bothered me one bit. I never felt “unsafe” as this Taylor girl suggests. It disgusts me that there are people in the world, even Girl Scouts themselves, who are such bigots. Everyone please BUY THE COOKIES, support Girl Scouts for being more accepting than a lot of organizations. I’ve already bought 3 boxes and I’m planning on buying more from booth sales.
January 25, 2012 at 8:00 pm
I think it is cool that he got to be a girl scout.
If he just wants to dress up as a girl, cool. But I find it a little sad that a boy does not want to be a boy.
I hope that he/she does not deside to change to full girl. ouch.
January 26, 2012 at 2:16 am
Why?
January 25, 2012 at 8:24 pm
There was a troop selling cookies outside my coffee shop today. The little girls asked me if I wanted to buy some cookies and I replied, “No. But I would like to give you some money if YOU all will keep the cookies and eat them.” They were really pleased and happy. Many times the kids selling things for a fundraiser don’t ever get to eat their own treats as they are trying to raise money. It certainly made my day and I walked away with a smile listening to them discuss which box of cookies they wanted to eat. Way to go, Girl Scouts! Continue setting an example to other organizations in how to set a place at the table for everyone.
daemon
January 25, 2012 at 10:12 pm
The rude things aren’t said towards me but all of LGBTQ in general! I just want to snap their neck! So I’m going to protest then tell the councilor. I’m ready to make a change in my school. So the next rude remark and I’m going to go ape s**t on someone! And I don’t want hear any gung-ho remarks. Sorry Bryce I know it’s in good faith but if I don’t make a change now by the end of the year I’m gonna kill someone. Figuratively of courses.
January 26, 2012 at 11:09 pm
Your hostile attitude is unlikely to attract anyone, gay or straight. Besides that, only losers want to associate themselves with an aggrieved victim. Those locker room comments are the typical sophomoric comments of immature teenage boys. Things should get better once you graduate and are among others with a better sense of judgement. It WILL get better. If there is a college or university in your town, see if they have a gay organization. You’ll get a better reception there and perhaps some support.
February 9, 2012 at 1:31 am
@Patrick:
Hello again,Patrick ___This is the 2nd time I’ve replied to you today,though the first was a response to your response to your response,etc.,etc.,etc. on the “Dos & Don’ts”post. I wound up here because I’ve been wasting time looking through past posts trying to track down a name.Re-reading the comments on this page,I of course,re-read all of yours:
THEY’RE SCARY !!!!!! MAKE ME WORRIED/CONCERNED..It’s not that you are angry about the hateful comments [and,perhaps bullying] you’ve had to endure:That’s totally natural,and something many of have had,or have,to go thru.Same for your feeling angry/frustrated about being closeted,isolated,and horny.A lot of adolescence,and a lot of life generally ,Sucks!
What’s worrying is that most of remarks are almost incomprehensible.For your own safety,and,I hope,for some relief & comfort:Please find help!! Find a gay friend,of either gender,same age as you are,or older.Seek out support groups,such as Waygay.org,Trevor’s Campaign,an local high school or college gay support ,and/or gay/straight alliances.Perhaps counseling……ANY,EVERY RESOURCE you can find_Certainly here!_but questions and discussion are more likely to get you help_NOT frothing-at-the-mouth outbursts.
Good Luck,Patrick:You deserve it.
January 26, 2012 at 2:19 am
The video[now withdrawn,according to D.W.] that went viral proves what a friend of mine says:We’ve got a job shortage,a credit shortage,but there will never be an assh.le shortage
January 26, 2012 at 3:11 am
I’ve been waiting for the Girl Scouts to come knocking at my door, but all I seem to get are Mormon missionaries. I tell them I am gay and they leave immediately. Too bad. They don’t know what they’re missing.
January 27, 2012 at 12:31 am
@Joel J:
Why not just make a nice contribution to the FRC,instead,Joel?_Most of them are morons.
January 26, 2012 at 6:36 am
Youv written about the boy scouts being very homophobic if thats the case in the USA I’m very sorry to hear they havnt updated there thinking, here in the uk where I was a leader and a scout from a very young age I never had a problem with my sexuality and know of many scouts and leaders that are gay I found it great that I was accepted for who I was especially as it has built my confidence and given me the chance to experiance sooo much. It’s great to here the girl guilds have accepted a change that will make a child’s life better.
January 26, 2012 at 10:15 am
Here in the U.S., many local scout troops are sponsored by local churches. It is the Boy Scouts of America’s connection to organized religion that makes the difference in policy. I was a scout many years ago when gay was never an issue and it was a great experience for a young boy.
January 27, 2012 at 12:44 am
@Law:
Thanks,Law,
Good to know about the UK.
Sadly,in the USA,the Boy Scouts are homophobic,prohibiting gay membership/leadership.In my home city,Philadelphia,there’s been a long-standing controversy,because the BSA headquarters, located in a very fine building on our grandest boulevard,get thee building rent-free from the city.The city wants them to either change their policies,or vacate :The Scouts’ anti-gay policy violates Philadelphia’s anti-discrimination laws….Ironic,considering that most men IO know,gay,or straight,had their first homosexual experiences while in the Scouts.
January 26, 2012 at 3:21 pm
For once I’m happy I’m Italian, here the scouts are for girls and boys together, so no issue like that one comes up and I’ve always saw a very great deal of acceptance in all of the scout groups I’ve known! I am bi and no one has ever told me anything about that, they were just sad and worried for me bacause I wasn’t good with myself! Plus in Italy we have two scout association, one is catholic (and they’re strict) and the other is laicist and that’s a really great thing because it doesn’t lean on churches!
Btw the girl scout have done a great thing
January 26, 2012 at 5:10 pm
What! Transgender! Where did you get that idea? The conversation starts up above so maybe that’s what confused you.
January 27, 2012 at 12:51 am
@Patrick:
Maybe,Patrick,I was confused by the fact that the comment of yours I was responding to came separately as a BTI comment in my e-mail.Maybe part of my confusion was caused by your choosing to post coming out comments in the middle of a post on a trans-gendered girl scout.The very barely literate quality of your comment didn’t help,either.
January 26, 2012 at 8:40 pm
I am very proud to be a girl scout. They are so accepting, even historically so. It was the troop Bobby had wanted to join that denied her, the organization already had a policy allowing trans girls in. My whole troop knows I’m a lesbian and it’s sort of a non-issue seeing as a lot of council (the adults running my area) are gay themselves. So support us! You can even “buy” cookies from some troops that will donate them to a local charity for you if you don’t have as big of a sweet tooth as me
January 27, 2012 at 3:43 am
As a transguy this makes me very happy
Thanks for sharing, Davey!