Indiana GOP Calls Girl Scouts "Radicalized" Organization

After doing a “small amount of web-based research” an Indiana Republican has decided he cannot support a resolution celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Girl Scouts because it is a “radicalized organization” that supports abortion and promotes homosexuality.

Rep. Bob Morris (R-Fort Wayne) said his Internet research revealed the Girl Scouts to be a tactical arm of Planned Parenthood and encourages sex. “After talking to some well-informed constituents, I did a small amount of web-based research, and what I found is disturbing” Morris wrote. The full text of his letter can be found here. In it he attacks their case-by-case acceptance of transgender youth as evidence the group promotes “homosexual lifestyles.”

A statement on the Girl Scout’s website says it leaves sex and reproduction questions to parents. Local chapters have come under fire for allowing trans-gender youth to join.

Morris is the only House member to refuse to sign the resolution honoring the 100th anniversary of the Girl Scouts approved last week and the first to take the Republican anti-Planned Parenthood hysteria to this low.

But is it surprising? The Girl Scouts provide an avenue for young girls to develop independence and confidence–two skills those most threatened by female sexual autonomy hate the most. By coming out against the Girl Scouts Morris proved what reproductive rights advocates have been saying all along: it’s not about the abortions, it’s about women having sex.

Photo from The U.S. Army via flickr.

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Kenneth D.

9:51AM PDT on Apr 21, 2012

Once again misplaced political correctness The Girl Scouts, unless vastly different in USA, do not promote these ideas they exist to provide a fun, safe environment where girls can learn to mix and live happy independent lives whist having exiting and appropriate fun

send a green star

James E.

7:29AM PDT on Apr 12, 2012

Insanity is becoming the dominate force in the GOP.

Val L.

12:51PM PDT on Mar 26, 2012

crazy

12:49PM PDT on Mar 26, 2012

this is insane.
We are so fortunate to have the Girl Scouts.

Vera C.

5:27AM PDT on Mar 17, 2012

continues...

rather than instilling pre-digested ideas into young people's minds.

Sorry for the very long comment.

5:23AM PDT on Mar 17, 2012

Reading the comments took a lot of time, and it was not as rewarding as usual. Anyway...
As a former girl guide still trying to live by the Law and the Promise, I love and trust all my "sisters" in the world, and I feel the urge to say: happy birthday, girl scouts of America! Keep up the good work!
As for Rep. Morris's letter and "apology" (it rather sounded like an explanation), I think the fact that the letter was not meant for the general public is no excuse for carelessness and emotional response - it was not a private outburst, but a statement he sent to his colleagues.
Furthermore, I wish to stress the importance of the association being open to everyone: the acceptance of transgender members sounds in keeping with this ideal, and it is far from implying the group promoting “homosexual lifestyles", whatever that may mean.
Openness may be the key to the "sex ed" problem too. I have not been able to find out what kind of activity was exactly offered and to girls of what age, but as far as I know, girl scouts in their teens start having the chance to suggest subjects they would like to discuss, and in our society sexual behaviour is an issue for most teenagers, so I think it would not be wrong to answer their questions and try to let them hear different points of view. I think the main point here is the difference between debate and indoctrination, and in my experience girl guides associations have always aimed at developing responsibility and informed choices ra

LMj S.

3:00PM PST on Mar 4, 2012

Happy 100th Girl Scouts! sad article this rep morris and sad comments....

Luna B.

1:45AM PST on Mar 4, 2012

This Indiana Republican is a very weak man...afraid of everything that isn't straight, married and having sex without contraception, as 'God wants us to do.' News flash mr. Republican: the Girl Scouts are about learning independence, not about sex ed or anything remotely related to that. And according to God's law, trans-gendered people, whether they are eight or eighty, deserve to be loved!

Charli S.

2:33PM PST on Mar 1, 2012

Girl Scouts support freedom which is what our founding fathers supported. They must be rolling over in their graves right now with the GOP and it's radical interpretations of our Constitution and Bill of Rights. The GOP is a “radicalized organization” not the Girl Scouts.

LD B.

2:32PM PST on Mar 1, 2012

Michael A. is a troll.

DO NOT FEED THE TROLL.