Now Scouts can wear a badge to celebrate ‘trans fun’
THE Scout Association faced a backlash last night after it introduced a ‘ trans fun badge’ for members as young as four.
Youngsters were also offered a ‘bisexual fun badge’, a ‘lesbian fun badge’ and a ‘Pride fun badge’.
The woven designs feature rainbow or striped patterns behind the traditional fleur- de-lis symbol which was introduced by scouting’s war hero founder Robert BadenPowell in 1907.
However, one critic last night said ‘asking children to be “allies” to what is essentially an adult political movement’ was inappropriate.
In promotional material for the Scout Shop online, the Scout Association urged members to ‘celebrate inclusion... with our Pride collection’. As well as the trans, bisexual and lesbian designs, members can buy a variety of items, such as clothing and accessories, ‘to support the LGBT+ community’.
The badges are £1.50, a Scout Pride pair of socks in rainbow colours is £6, a traditional Scout scarf in Pride rainbow colours is £ 10 while a hoodie is £24.
Scouts interested in buying the trans fun badge are told: ‘ Make a bold statement with this vibrant Scout Pride trans woven badge. It is perfect for adding to a blanket, poncho, clothing or a bag to show your support for Scout Pride and the LGBT+ community.
‘Scouting is open to all and welcomes young people and adults, regardless of their sexuality or gender identity. It’s important that in Scouts everyone feels welcomed, included and valued for who they are.’
The Scout Association has long expanded beyond boys-only clubs.
Cubs are for girls and boys aged eight to ten and scouts for those up to 14. Its new youth section Squirrels, which is being funded by the Government in disadvantaged areas, also welcomes girls as well as boys aged from just four to six.
Last night the director of a campaign group which raises concerns about children being encouraged to switch gender criticised the Scout Association’s new badges.
Stephanie Davies-Arai, of Transgender Trend, said: ‘The Scouts need to be very careful about the message they are sending to children from the age of four that “trans is fun”.
‘Asking children to be “allies” to what is essentially an adult political movement is not appropriate. Children shouldn’t be asked to be allies to any group. Don’t discriminate but being an ally takes it too far.’ The modern Scout Association has championed inclusiveness with not only girls admitted but also different sexualities being celebrated.
Baden-Powell’s 1908 book Scouting for Boys, which launched the movement, stated: ‘Manliness can only be taught by men, and not by those who are half-men, half old women.’
But his biographer Tim Jeal has claimed the first Chief Scout ‘was gay and repressed it. Men were beautiful to him but he was a romantic, not a practising homosexual.’
And a forthcoming biography by Lorraine Gibson, due out in August, goes further. According to publicity material for the book, Baden-Powell was a ‘macho man and drag artist’ who had a ‘relationship with a fellow soldier that endured 30 years until he married a 22-year- old woman in secret when he was 55’.
The Scout Association last night said: ‘Scouts is open to all and welcomes young people and adults, regardless of their sexuality or gender identity. It’s important that in Scouts everyone feels welcomed, included and valued for who they are.
‘We are proud that we have produced a range of Pride-themed clothing, scarves and badges that support our LGBT+ members.’
There are almost half a million youngsters in the Scout Association’s various divisions.
Television presenter Bear Grylls is the Chief Scout, acting as figurehead of the organisation, while the Duchess of Cambridge and Duke of Kent are joint presidents.
‘Asking children to be allies’