The Boy Scouts of America announced Monday night that it will begin allowing transgender children who identify as boys into the organization.
Previously, the Scouts had only allowed children to participated based on the gender listed on their birth certificate. Now enrollment in the boys-only program based on what the child or parents lists on the application, according to reports.
“For more than 100 years, the Boy Scouts of America, along with schools, youth sports and other youth organizations, have ultimately deferred to the information on an individual’s birth certificate to determine eligibility for our single-gender programs. However, that approach is no longer sufficient as communities and state laws are interpreting gender identity differently, and these laws vary widely from state to state,” a Boy Scouts of America spokesman said in a Monday statement.
In December, the family of an 8-year-old New Jersey child who was born a girl but identifies as a boy said he was kicked out of the Cub Scouts for being transgender.