GSSN is working on publishing an updated voluniteer policy on creating equitable community, and for now, we are refrencing Girl Scouts of Northern California's policy here. Volunteer Policy for Building Equitable Community.
Girl Scouts of Northern California's policy states that,
"Our Girl Scout Program is for any girl-identified youth, including cisgender girls and transgender girls."
"Each child and family is in charge of how they identify and their gender identity may change over time. For example, if a girl who has previously been a Girl Scout begins to identify as male gendered, gender non-conforming, gender creative or non-binary, they will continue to be welcomed at Girl Scouts...A person's gender identity (how they express and identify) and sexual orientation (who they love) are two different things and are never up for debate. This means we never force anyone to disclose or discuss these parts of their identity."
GSSN is proactively working towards understanding and educating ourselves on the inclusion of gender-expansive and non-binary scouts, including individuals who are transfeminine (those who present as "feminine" and do not necessarily identify as female or girl).
Any young person interested in becoming a new member who identifies as girl (regardless of what gender they were assigned to at birth), is welcome to participate in Girl Scouts.
Because each child and family is in charge of how they identify and their gender identity may change over time:
- Only parents/legal guardians may request to have youth names or gender markers updated. It is possible that the young person may not be “out” to their parents or legal guardians, and making changes without permission may be damaging to their family dynamics.
- If the young person has not yet “come out” to the other members in the troop, practice introducing yourself to your troop with your name and your pronouns (she/her, he/him, they/theirs, or other pronouns). Let the troop know that sharing pronouns is an option, and not a requirement.
- Troop leaders are encouraged to utilize the “nickname” field on MyGS so that youth can be called by their chosen, preferred name. This is respectful in any situation, regardless of how the young person identifies. It is best practice to have legal names listed in MyGS.
- As of today, there are only 3 gender options to choose from on MyGS ("Female", "Male", and "I choose not to share"). Due to limitations within our membership registration system, and while we continue to engage with our national organization to work towards improving and crafting more inclusive, welcoming systems for all, we are limited to workarounds., We recommend selecting the gender on MyGS that the young person was assigned to at birth, or to select “I choose not to share” until more inclusive choices become available. As a Council, we want to acknowledge that these are not ideal or inclusive choices for families with gender non-conforming, gender creative or non-binary members, as it is important to own as we continue to work to do better.
Please view Human Rights Campaign's Glossary of Terms as reference for gender identity and sexual orientation terms and definitions