Girl Scouts rejects $100K anti-transgender donation

Lindsay Deutsch | USA TODAY Network

Show Caption Hide Caption Girl Scouts raise money after declining anti-transgender donation When the Girl Scouts of America announced that they proudly welcomed transgender girls into their community, it seemed like a huge coup for gender acceptance. Unfortunately, not every Girl Scout supporter was thrilled.

Girl Scouts is #ForEVERYGirl. That means transgender girls, too.

After a donor, who remains anonymous, asked Girl Scouts of Western Washington to ensure their $100,000 contribution would not be used to help transgender girls, the chapter of the national organization gave the money back.

In one day, they've made more than double that amount through a crowdfunding campaign that's garnered support from more than 4,000 funders.

"Girl Scouts empowers every girl, regardless of her gender identity, socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, to make the world a better place. We won't exclude any girl," reads a video posted on the fundraiser's Indiegogo webpage.

"Every girl deserves access to a safe, friendly environment where she can stand up for what she believes in and be proud of who she is," it continues.

According to the campaign, the $100,000 would have been received by 500 girls who needed financial support. Now there's enough money to ensure that 1,000 girls can join a troop, go to camp and partake in a "multitude of life-changing Girl Scout experiences."

More than 100 donors have commented on the page.

For commenter Jennifer Leonard, the actions had a special significance: "From a lifetime member of Girl Scouts, Gold & Silver Award recipient, and trans masculine identified person I thank you very much for honoring GSUSAs mission to be for ALL girls by sacrificing such a huge gift. I am glad to see you are on track to be repaid 2 fold! Girl Scout Camp was such an important experience for me, I'm honored to enable a girl to attend."

Margaret Ragaisis kept her message short and sweet, "Proud to be a former Girl Scout from back in the 1970's," before posting a message anyone who's been a Girl Scout will recall:

"The Girl Scout Law:

I will do my best to be

honest and fair,

friendly and helpful,

considerate and caring,

courageous and strong, and

responsible for what I say and do,

and to

respect myself and others,

respect authority,

use resources wisely,

make the world a better place, and

be a sister to every Girl Scout."

Before the campaign took off, Seattle Met first reported this story. Their interviews and profile of the Girl Scouts of Western Washington is worth a read.

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