UK’s Girlguiding Will Kick Out Trans Girls In September
The scout organization’s “difficult decision” follows last year’s Supreme Court ruling on sex and gender.
Featured Image: via Instagram
Last December, Girlguiding, the British equivalent of the Girl Scouts, issued a statement: “It is with a heavy heart that we are announcing trans girls and young women will no longer be able to join Girlguiding. This is a decision we would have preferred not to make, and we know that this may be upsetting for members of our community.”
On Monday, the organization announced that transgender girls and women participants in Girlguiding groups must leave the organization by Sept. 6, 2026.
In that update posted to their website, the org stated that the “difficult decision” was made following the Supreme Court ruling relating to sex and gender. They claimed that their intention “throughout is to act with kindness, care and respect,” and said that the organization chose the date “so all current members are able to take part in activities during the summer term and over the summer holidays.”
Those targeted by the decision: current young members who are trans girls or trans young women, and trans girls and trans women in volunteer roles open to women only. Trans boys and trans men, and non-binary people assigned female at birth are not affected by the change. They can remain or join as members and continue to be part of Girlguiding in the same way.
Volunteer roles that have been open to “women only” will not be available to trans women. Trans girls or trans women currently volunteering in such a role must move to a role open to “everyone” by Sept. 6.
The organization states that their “values and beliefs have not changed” and that they “remain committed to standing up for the rights, safety and dignity of all girls and women, and to supporting marginalised communities, including our LGBTQ+ members, to improve the lives of girls.”
“We must operate lawfully and follow our governing charity documents, which affect how our membership eligibility is defined. Although living by our values cannot change our legal responsibilities, it does shape how we treat everyone, how we speak about people, the culture we create, and the future we’re working towards.”
Currently, the organization has about 300,000 members, aged 4 – 18, in Rainbows, Brownies, Guides, Rangers and young leader groups, plus about 80,000 volunteers.
Girlguiding, aware of potential negative impacts on youth, is offering a link for those “worried” about the wellbeing of any scout being booted out; Girlguiding suggests connecting with YoungMinds, an organization equipped to provide mental health support.
As for missing the friends campers made while ziplining and honing archery skills, the organization offers heartbreaking tips. For one, “If the young person would like to, you can help them think about how they might want to say goodbye to their friends.”
Image: via Instagram
