Girl Scouts Return $100K After Donor Requests It Not Be Used to Support Transgender Girls
But Girl Scouts Western Washington has raised the money back via crowdfunding.
— -- The Girl Scouts of Western Washington recently returned $100,000 to a donor who sent a follow-up note to the donation requesting that the gift "not be used to support transgender girls," the group said.
Despite the loss, the Girl Scouts have now raised the amount back, and some more, in less than 24 hours since they began an Indiegogo campaign using the hashtag #ForEVERYgirl on Monday.
"Girl Scouts empowers EVERY girl regardless of her gender identity, socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity [and] sexual orientation," the group said on a video for their campaign. "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."
The Girl Scouts of Western Washington added they were "thrilled" when they initially received the $100,000 gift, which would have been used to make sure 500 girls would get the financial support they need to join the troop.
The CEO of the Girl Scouts for that region told a local paper that she would not reveal the donor's identity out of respect for their privacy.
"The relationship is complex," CEO Megan Ferland told the Seattle Met, adding that she was "very sad" when she got the donor's follow-up letter.
"Girl Scouts is for every girl,” Ferland said. "And every girl should have the opportunity to be a Girl Scout if she wants to."
Ferland previously made headlines in 2012 when she fought for 7-year-old transgender girl Bobby Montoya to join a troop in Denver, Colorado, after she was initially denied entry.
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