Boy Scouts of America open enrollment to transgender boys by accepting gender given on application

Brett T. | 12:08 AM on January 31, 2017

The Boy Scouts of America have lagged a little in trying to keep up with the advance of progressive values. The organization’s national council voted in May 2013 to lift its ban on gay scouts, and in 2015 the organization voted unanimously to allow gay scout leaders, citing both “the rapid changes in society” and “increasing legal challenges at the federal, state, and local levels.”

On Monday, the Boy Scouts announced a step that the Girl Scouts of America had already taken, opening enrollment to transgender applicants.

Boy Scouts of America:
“Starting today, we will accept and register youth… based on the gender identity indicated on the application."

— Stephanie Wash (@WashNews) January 31, 2017

BREAKING: Boy Scouts of America will allow transgender children who identify as boys to enroll in scouting programs.

— The Associated Press (@AP) January 31, 2017

.@boyscouts clears way for transgender children to join by accepting gender given on applications, spokesperson says https://t.co/Sr0efvreLZ pic.twitter.com/haUpyPjaZv

— CNN (@CNN) January 31, 2017

I was a Boy Scout growing up. Hearing the news today makes me proud. Good work @boyscouts #LGBTQ ❤️

— J O E J O N A S (@joejonas) January 31, 2017

As an Eagle Scout I am very proud of the @boyscouts right now. https://t.co/0CVwL05QqS

— Beau Willimon (@BeauWillimon) January 31, 2017

This is an historic step for the Boy Scouts, and all of us at @Scouts4Equality are celebrating this step forward. https://t.co/qaEHY7RC8W

— Zach Wahls (@ZachWahls) January 31, 2017

It’s a big step, but transgender boys submitting their applications had better throttle their expectations of boyish fun, as other progressive steps taken by the Scouts have led to the banning of water gun fights and fights with water balloons that are non-biodegradable and larger than “ping-pong ball size.”