Transgender youth participation in Scouting America has become a flashpoint in a growing political dispute involving the United States Department of Defense and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. At issue is whether military support for the scouting organization will continue if it maintains inclusive policies toward transgender members.
The Pentagon has signaled that access to military installations and logistical cooperation could depend on Scouting America aligning with federal directives aimed at dismantling diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. In public remarks, Hegseth said the organization must eliminate what he described as “tolerance of transgenderism” and recognize only male and female based on sex assigned at birth on membership applications.
“These and other changes that Scouting America’s leadership committed to will hopefully result in a rededication to the foundational ideals that have defined scouting for generations: duty to God and country, leadership, character, and service,” Hegseth said in a video message. He added that he hopes the organization will “go back to being the Boy Scouts as originally founded: a group that develops boys into men.”
Scouting America leadership has pushed back on the suggestion that transgender youth will be excluded. President and CEO Roger Krone told reporters, “We have transgender people in our program, and we’ll have transgender people in our program going forward.” He noted that application forms already request sex assigned at birth for administrative purposes but said inclusion policies remain in place.
Scouting America began allowing transgender youth to participate according to their gender identity in 2017. The organization later opened its flagship programs to girls in 2018 and rebranded under a gender-neutral name in 2024 to reflect broader membership. Those changes followed earlier decisions to end bans on gay youth and adult leaders.
For transgender scouts and their families, the political dispute feels deeply personal. Many joined scouting to build leadership skills, learn outdoor survival, and find community. Advocates warn that national rhetoric singling out transgender youth risks making children feel unwelcome, even if official policies have not changed.
The Pentagon has indicated it will review the partnership in the coming months. Military cooperation with Scouting America has historically included access to bases, event support, and joint programming opportunities.
For now, transgender youth remain eligible to participate in Scouting America programs. Whether that inclusion withstands sustained federal pressure may determine not only the future of the military partnership but also how youth organizations nationwide navigate intensifying debates over gender identity.
