Girl Scouts has unveiled a new patch for girls within the organization in celebration of Pride month.
The organization’s new “LGBTQ+ Pride Month Fun Patch” can be earned for girls attending a Pride celebration, studying “LGBTQ+ history,” or creating a piece of art celebrating leaders within the “LGBTQ+ community.”
The document encourages leaders and parents to familiarize themselves with words and concepts within anti-LGBT discrimination organization GLSEN’s key concepts and terms, which can be found on the organization’s website.
“We’re stronger together and by acknowledging the diversity, heritage, and contributions of our multicultural communities, Girl Scouts can find new ways to make the world a better place for everyone,” reads a document from Girl Scouts to troop leaders, volunteers, parents and guardians.
“You don’t have to know everything before talking to your troop,” the document continues. “In fact, you might even consider admitting what you don’t know. Conversations can be wonderful opportunities to learn from each other.”
“It’s important for your troop meeting to be a welcoming place where all its members feel safe and included in their troop.”
🏳️🌈Happy #PrideMonth! 🎉 Being true to yourself is what makes you beautiful, so celebrate everything that makes you, YOU! 💜💙💚💛❤️ Unlock your LGBTQ+ patch 👇 https://t.co/W998B1YsPo pic.twitter.com/YqlxFgtixv
— Girl Scouts (@girlscouts) June 1, 2023
Troop leaders and parents are encouraged to “create a safe space for girls” along with “creating an Atmosphere of Acceptance and Inclusion.”
The document also provides a list of crisis hotlines including the Trevor Project, National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, Crisis Text Line, Trans Lifeline, The National Runaway Safeline, National AIDS Hotline, and the U.S. National Domestic Violence Hotline, along with the Rape Abuse and Incest National Network.
“As Girl Scouts we deeply value diversity and inclusion. A Girl Scout is a friend and ally to all families,” the document continues, providing a definitions from the Human Rights Campaign defining the terms, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender/trans, and queer.
“Learning LGBTQ+ vocabulary can help be respectful of our LGBTQ+ friends and families in our community.”
Activities girls must participate in certain activities to receive the “LGBTQ+ Pride Month Fun Patch,” include sketching a portrait of a member of the LGBTQ+ community past or present along with writing a paragraph or drawing a picture about their contribution to the country.
Girls are also encouraged to learn about LGBTQ awareness “Spirit Day,” and further pledge to wear purple on Oct. 21 to stand against bullying and “show your support for LGBTQ+ youth.”
Scouts may also read a children’s book featuring LGBTQ+ characters. The document recommends Love Makes a Family by Sophie Beer, Stonewall: A Building, an Uprising, a Revolution by Rob Sanders, I am Billie Jean King by Brad Meltzer, I Am Jazz by Jessica Herthel and Jazz Jennings.
Younger girls within the organization must complete three of the activities provided in the document, while senior girls must complete six.
