On This Date In ISBL History: Let Bobby Montoya Be A Girl Scout

As I am in Oregon helping my Dad recuperate from knee surgery, I thought I’d do something I’ll call “On This Date In ISBL History” and repost some things from back when the blog was new, and newish … this was originally published October 31, 2011:

Bobby Montoya was born a boy, but has long indentified as a girl. And Bobby loves all "girl stuff" from Barbie to The Bratz, and now, the Girl Scouts. And even though classmates pick on Bobby for being different, Bobby wants to be a Girl Scout, only they won't let Bobby join.

When Bobby's mother, Felisha Archuleta asked what the big deal was after Bobby was denied, a local troop leader told her, “He has boy parts. He can’t be a Girl Scout. Girl Scouts don’t allow that. I don’t want to get in trouble by parents or my supervisor.”

Ouch. But, see, the thing is, the Girl Scouts of Colorado do allow that after all, and, in fact, the organization released following statement:

“Girl Scouts is an inclusive organization. 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. Our requests for support of transgender kids have grown, and Girl Scouts of Colorado is working to best support these children, their families, and the volunteers that serve them.”

Great news, but now someone needs to tell Bobby’s local Girl Scout leader. And I hope they do it soon because Bobby says that being picked on and made to feel different "hurts my heart."

And that's no way to treat a child.

In early 2012, Bobby Montoya joined the Girl Scouts. No one was harmed, and the cookies taste the same.

Stormi Stands Up To A Bully

Stormi is a nine-year-old girl; and a Girl Scout. And so, as Girl Scout’s do, she was selling cookies because she likes it and because, as she says, cookies “make people smile.” But not everyone was smiling, because Stormi is transgender, and as she was going door-to-door in her neighborhood, one man turned her down flat, saying:

“Nobody wants to buy cookies from a boy in a dress.”

Yeah. And that made Stormi sad because she’s a girl. It also made her mad, and so she found a way to shut down her bully and sell more than 3,000 boxes of cookies. She sold her cookies through the Girl Scout’s online site, Digital Cookies, last week and gave people the option of having her deliver them in person. And as news spread about Stormi, folks took notice.

A comedy duo out of New York gave anyone who bought cookies from Stormi free admission to their show; a California multimedia musical, 35MM: A Musical Exhibition, donated a box of cookies to everyone who bought a ticket. An LGBTQ support group in Idaho, Idaho Falls Gender Community, ordered all their cookies from Stormi.

Stormi’s project ended over the weekend. But she wasn’t quite done. She also bought, and donated Girl Scout Cookies to the Illinois foster care system — she is a foster child herself — so those kids could have cookies.

“I want kids like me to know they are perfect just the way they are. There are people all over the world that love you. Never give up because it does get better. [And] I have learned that even though people can be mean I shouldn’t give up!”

Never give up, Stormi, because for every door slammed in your face, there’s an open one waiting.

Good for her; good for her mother for helping her; and good for the Girl Scouts who have always been an inclusive group, and very supportive of the LGBTQ community.

In 2015, a Girl Scout troop in Washington was handed a $100,000 donation — with the caveat that the girls not use the money to support transgender children.

The Girl Scouts of Western Washington returned the check. 

Washington Post

Vacation Repost: The Boy Scouts Kicked Greg Bourke Out .... The Girl Scouts Celebrate Him

originally posted Wednesday, September 19, 2012

I am just about as disgusted with the boy Scouts of America as I am with the Catholic Church. Both groups seem to have this notion that being gay is bad, yet being a pedophile warrants special treatment and dispensation.

The latest story of the BSA is that they have kicked out a local Scout leader, Greg Bourke, because he's :::gasp::: gay--funny, had Greg been a pedophile,m he would have had no problems, I guess. 

Bourke, who has raised two children involved in scouting with his partner of 30 years,has started a petition at Change.org after the Lincoln Heritage Council learned he is gay and removed him from of his role in the organization.

In a statement about the campaign, Greg said, "For the past five years, I've dedicated my time and energy to the Boy Scouts of America and to my community -- and I've loved every minute of it. In return, the Boy Scouts of America has decided to fire me for being honest about who I am and for loving my partner of 30 years. I launched my petition with the hope of turning this hurtful situation into something positive… If enough of us speak out, I know the Lincoln Heritage Council will join the growing list of councils that have decided to reject the Boy Scouts' discriminatory policy."

And, here's a little bit of irony. In addition to, at one time anyway, being a Scout leader for his sons, Greg Bourke is also a leader in his daughter's Girl Scout Troop. And when the Girl Scouts of America found out that Greg Bourke is gay, they said, "Meh."

Well, maybe that's what i think they said, but what they really said is that Greg's sexual orientation makes no difference to the GSA or to his standing with his daughter's troop. In fact, Girl Scout leaders at Our Lady of Lourdes condemned Bourke’s ouster from the Boy Scouts, and co-leader Kim Haydon wrote to the BSA last month, saying that to “discount all that [Greg Bourke] has done for our youth only because he is gay is absurd. Shame on you and your small mindedness.”

Suh-nap.

Too bad the BSA can't be as strong-minded, and open-minded, and welcoming as the GSA.

To sign Greg Bourke's petition asking to be reinstated, head on over to Change.org.

via GLAAD

The Boy Scouts Kicked Greg Bourke Out .... The Girl Scouts Celebrate Him

I am just about as disgusted with the boy Scouts of America as I am with the Cath0olic Church. Both groups seem to have this notion that being gay is bad, yet being a pedophile warrants special treatment and dispensation.

The latest story of the BSA is that they have kicked out a local Scout leader, Greg Bourke, because he's :::gasp::: gay--funny, had Greg been a pedophile,m he would have had no problems, I guess. 

Bourke, who has raised two children involved in scouting with his partner of 30 years,has started a petition at Change.org after the Lincoln Heritage Council learned he is gay and removed him from of his role in the organization.

In a statement about the campaign, Greg said, "For the past five years, I've dedicated my time and energy to the Boy Scouts of America and to my community -- and I've loved every minute of it. In return, the Boy Scouts of America has decided to fire me for being honest about who I am and for loving my partner of 30 years. I launched my petition with the hope of turning this hurtful situation into something positive… If enough of us speak out, I know the Lincoln Heritage Council will join the growing list of councils that have decided to reject the Boy Scouts' discriminatory policy."

And, here's a little bit of irony. In addition to, at one time anyway, being a Scout leader for his sons, Greg Bourke is also a leader in his daughter's Girl Scout Troop. And when the Girl Scouts of America found out that Greg Bourke is gay, they said, "Meh."

Well, maybe that's what i think they said, but what they really said is that Greg's sexual orientation makes no difference to the GSA or to his standing with his daughter's troop. In fact, Girl Scout leaders at Our Lady of Lourdes condemned Bourke’s ouster from the Boy Scouts, and co-leader Kim Haydon wrote to the BSA last month, saying that to “discount all that [Greg Bourke] has done for our youth only because he is gay is absurd. Shame on you and your small mindedness.”

Suh-nap.

Too bad the BSA can't be as strong-minded, and open-minded, and welcoming as the GSA.

To sign Greg Bourke's petition asking to be reinstated, head on over to Change.org.

via GLAAD

An Asshat Tries....And Fails....To Apologize

It was just week that Indiana state Representative Bob Morris was awarded the ISBL Asshat of the Week cap for his refusal to sign a legislative resolution honoring the Girl Scouts on their 100th anniversary. You can read about it HERE, but suffice to say he was against the resolution because he felt that the Girls Scouts are a "radicalized organization" that support abortion and promote the "homosexual lifestyle."

And because now his words have come back to haunt him, Morris is issuing an apology. Let's dissect it, shall we?

"After reflecting on the letter I wrote on February 18, 2012 to my fellow Indiana Republican Representatives, I realize now that my words were emotional, reactionary, and inflammatory. For that I sincerely apologize. I apologize to the Girl Scouts of Indiana and all of the girls and parents of Indiana who are participating in and running their Girl Scout organizations in a way that promotes leadership, community involvement and family values. I certainly should not have painted the entire Girl Scouts organization with such a wide brush."

He would just paint some of "those" Girl Scouts that way. Notice, also that he doesn't really apologize for what he said, just the "emotional" way he said it.

Non.Apology.

"As I have mentioned, the letter was intended for only my colleagues in the Statehouse. That is not an excuse for the breadth of my letter – rather, it is the reason for the lack of research and evidence it contained. I was merely attempting to express my reasons for not signing the House Resolution honoring the Girl Scouts and challenging my colleagues to think about the issue. I assure you that on matters of state policy and law making my research is extensive. Too, had I known this letter would have gone to a wider audience, I would have cited further evidence for my position."

He only wanted certain people to get his letter, you know, the "right" kind of people, and is sorry that the letter actually was seen by everyday folk, who find Bob Morris and ilk a bit disgusting. And, you know, if he had known that you and I would have seen his letter he would have researched it more, instead of just relying on one or two biased web pages for his rant.

"In hindsight, I never should have written the letter. However, I still would not sign the Resolution honoring the Girl Scouts – not because of any local troops or even the Girl Scouts of Indiana, but because of the Girl Scouts of the United States of America (Girl Scouts USA) and its policies. My conscience would not allow me to publicly endorse an organization that partners with Planned Parenthood – our State’s leading abortion provider. My family and I view abortion as the biggest evil of our time. And as Blessed Pope John Paul II said in his Encyclical Letter Evangelium Vitae, “every person sincerely open to truth and goodness can, by the light of reason and the hidden action of grace, come to recognize in the natural law written in the heart (cf. Rom 2:14-15) the sacred value of human life from its very beginning until its end, and can affirm the right of every human being to have this primary good respected to the highest degree.” I hope that my stance will help to spread the Gospel of life. Perhaps it will cause the Girl Scouts USA to reconsider its policies."

Oh, so because the Girl Scouts partner with Planned Parenthood, which provides abortions, as well as all sorts of medical tests and treatments, from breast exams to cancer treatments, he won't sign it. Then, of course, he brings in religion, because, as a typical Republican he cannot separate his personal religious beliefs from any aspect of his life, your life, or my life.

"On March 5, 2004, the Girl Scouts of the United States of America’s CEO, Kathy Cloninger, stated in an interview on the NBC Today Show that the Girl Scouts USA partners with Planned Parenthood with regard to sex education for Girl Scouts. To my knowledge, the Girl Scouts USA have not rescinded, corrected or denied that statement." 

You know, because sex education is wrong. Education on any topic that does not jibe with Bob Morris' Bible-thumping is wrong.

"If the Girl Scouts USA now denies the statement of its CEO, I challenge the organization to do so publicly so that individuals are not confused as to the organization’s ties to Planned Parenthood."

It's the new GOP Culture War, folks, and Planned Parenthood is the enemy.

"Girl Scouts USA is also the founding and largest member of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (“WAGGGS”). Money raised by Girl Scouts USA is used to support WAGGS. As you can see from the link on its own website, http://www.wagggsworld.org/en/CSW54/Day6, WAGGS openly promotes sex education and access to contraception and other “sexual and reproductive health services” for young people." 

So, because the Girl Scouts are trying to help young girls through sex education--so they don't become pregnant or become infected with an STD or HIV--they must not be honored? Seriously, Bobby? What are you doing to help young girls, other than keeping them in the dark about the dangers of unprotected sex? Keeping them in the dark about the choices they can make for their own bodies by themselves?

"I cannot, in good conscience, honor an organization that supports such policies.It is my sincere hope that this statement will end the publicity with regard to my letter. I look forward to moving on to more important issues of state policy.Thank you."

No, Bobby, it won't end. It won't end because you're a bigot who hides behind the Pope's sequined gowns. It won 't end because you want to control women, and young girls, by denying them access to education, by denying them access to choice, by denying them access to medical treatment, options and education.

You, Bob Morris, are still an Asshat.

Put the cap back on.

source

ISBL's Asshat of the Week: Representative Bob Morris

Representative Bob Morris, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, is refusing to sign on to a resolution to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Girl Scouts because he believes it is a "radicalized organization" that supports abortion and promotes the "homosexual lifestyle."
::::foot stomp    head snap::::::
Morris sent a letter to his fellow House Republicans last week to explain why he is the only member in the House not to endorse the resolution.
For Girl Scouts.
Morris, when not checking porn sites, explored the web, he says, and found allegations that the Girl Scouts are a tactical arm of Planned Parenthood, that they :::gasp:::: allow transgender females to join and that the Girl Scouts, when not selling cookies, encourage sex.
But then Morris, who puts the delusional in "delusional fuck"--hell, he puts the fuck in there, too--also said the fact that First Lady Michelle Obama is an honorary president of the Girl Scouts "should give each of us reason to pause before our individual and collective endorsement of the organization."

Bob Morris: "I challenge each of you to examine these matters more closely before you extend your name and your reputation to endorse a group that has been subverted in the name of liberal progressive politics and the destruction of traditional American family values."
It's funny, and sad, and totally GOP, in a way, because Morris' own daughters had once been Girl Scouts, but he makes it clear that his girls belonged to a troop where the leaders shared the same values.
You know, right-wing, Christianist, judgemental, condemning, intolerant, bigoted. Those kinds of views.
Morris said several House members will be taking their names off the resolution, although he couldn't name one, while Ashley Sharp, assistant director of marketing for the Girl Scouts, said the group heard of Morris' concerns, and noted that there are websites dedicated to "exposing" the organization. 
But, she added, "It really hasn't affected us. Our membership is still strong and our cookie sales are up from last year."
Buy cookies.
Buy cookies and send them to Bob Morris.
Morris needs a Thin Mint and a nap.
And to win the ISBL Asshat Of The Week award.


source

Let Bobby Montoya Be A Girl Scout

Bobby Montoya was born a boy, but has long indentified as a girl. And Bobby loves all "girl stuff" from Barbie to The Bratz, and, now, the Girl Scouts. And even though classmates pick on Bobby, for being different, Bobby wants to be a Girl Scout, only thy won't let Bobby join.

When Bobby's mother, Felisha Archuleta asked what the big deal was after being denied, a local troop leader told her, “He has boy parts. He can’t be a Girl Scout. Girl Scouts don’t allow that. I don’t want to get in trouble by parents or my supervisor.”


Ouch. But, see, the thing is, the Girl Scouts of Colorado do allow that after all, and, in fact, the organization realeased following statement:

“Girl Scouts is an inclusive organization. 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. Our requests for support of transgender kids have grown, and Girl Scouts of Colorado is working to best support these children, their families, and the volunteers that serve them.”

Great news, but now someone needs to tell Bobby’s local Girl Scout leader. And i hope they do it soon. Booby describes the feeling of being picked on and made to feel different as a feeling that "hurts my heart."

And that's no way to treat a child.

via Unicorn Booty