I Promise to do my best / To be true to myself
Girl Guides of Canada has released new guidelines to make sure transgender girls are more than welcome to join the organization.
Ho - Melanie Charette, Girl Guides Of Canada / The Canadian Press
A document released this week provides guidance for adult leaders on how to ensure trans girls are included. It also drives home the organization's stance that girls are girls, regardless of which gender was assigned at birth.
Trans girls were already welcome in guiding, but were dealt with on a case-by-case basis. The update provides an organization-wide policy.
Pawel Dwulit / The Canadian Press
- The girls themselves are the authority on their own name and gender identity, rather than their appearance or government ID.
- Transitioning is a process and members can identify as a boy at home. "As long as she is identifying as a girl at Guides, she is welcome."
- Trans members are welcome to use washrooms or change rooms that correspond with their gender, unless they request a more private space.
- Details of a member's gender identity and body are their business and their privacy should be respected by all members.
The document also provides some guidance for dealing with parents, including that "denying trans people access to washrooms should be recognised as a form of discrimination."
"Let’s ensure that transgender members never feel unsafe or unprotected while a part of GGC," the guide says.
This isn't the first time Girl Guides of Canada has made sure all girls are welcome. In recent years, the organization has removed the word "God" from the Guiding Promise and added uniform accommodations for girls who wear head coverings.
The organization said members have had an "overwhelmingly positive response" to the update.
“As an inclusive organization, we are committed to supporting an environment where all girls and women feel accepted, respected and empowered,” said Pamela Rice, Chief Commissioner of Girl Guides of Canada, in a statement.
Girl Guides of Canada