Bobby Montoya, 7-Year-Old Transgender Child, Turned Away From Girl Scouts, Later Accepted (VIDEO)

Bobby Montoya often dresses like a girl, plays with girl's toys, and most recently, wants to become a Girl Scout.

But when her mother, Felisha Archuleta, brought her to a local troop leader, the child's dreams were dashed. According to 9 News, the Girl Scouts worker said the child could not join, regardless of how the 7-year-old feels, because Bobby had "boy parts."

"I said, 'Well, what's the big deal?' She said 'It doesn't matter how he looks, he has boy parts, he can't be in Girl Scouts. Girl Scouts don't allow that [and] I don't want to be in trouble by parents or my supervisor,'" Archuleta told 9 News.

Bobby was heartbroken.

According to Fox News, the Girl Scouts Of Colorado have since admitted a mistake was made. Apparently the worker who turned Montoya away was unfamiliar with the group's policies, and Bobby is now welcome to join the group. It's unclear as to whether or not she has decided to join in light of the reversal.

Requests for transgender children to join the Girl Scouts have grown according to Fox News, and the group has been working to support them and their families.

However, Bobby's struggles go beyond the Girl Scouts experience. In an interview with 9 News (which you can see below) Montoya says how difficult it can be, especially in school. Often Montoya feels bullied or gets teased because of the way she dresses and acts. Bobby doesn't want these actions to cause change, but admits being made fun of can hurt, and even her mother feels the pain.

Bullying due to sexual orientation or gender identity has long been an issue, most recently in the wake of the suicide of 14-year-old Jamey Rodemeyer last month. While Rodemeyer's case is certainly different from Montoya's both situations have shed light on the struggles of LGBT youth. You can find out more information about the effects of bullying because of sexual orientation and gender identity here, from here, from Mental Health America, or from The Trevor Project.

WATCH:

Comments

[SeaBlood]

10:16 PM on 12/24/2011

Hey! I always wanted to be a girl scout too, even though I'm a boy. But what would be the point in doing that--it would freak everyone out, which is definitely not cool

[DRKIANA]

08:50 PM on 12/22/2011

You keep referring to this male child as a "she" when in reality he is genetically, biologically and even anatomically a boy. He has a penis. Why then is he allowed to join the "girl" scouts. Gender is not a choice...it is determined genetically. Things do go astray prenatally. But they are not the norm. This child has not changed his anatomical appearance so he still appears as a boy with male genitalia. He remains a boy whether or not his mother allows him to dress like a girl. If just wearing costumes make the person ...then I could dress like a chicken and be accepted as such. This child may need mental help and only when he is older he can masquerade as the opposite sex if he desires. However contrary to the present politically correct theory, one cannot change their sex...they can just change their appearance cosmetically. They will remain genetically the sex they are born with. The real difference between sexes is that the female can bear young. The male contributes the sperm. If a woman takes male hormones and changes her appearance cosmetically, she still cannot contribute sperm and visa-versa . However none of this pertains to this confused child. He has not gone through any reconstructive surgery He is just dressing like a girl before he has even experienced what it is like to be a man.

[LisaLore]

09:29 PM on 12/23/2011

You're half right. Gender is NOT a choice. But it's not determined genetically.

Even sex isn't always determined genetically. There are XX males and XY females.

Gender is developmental. USUALLY it matches the sex. But not always. When it doesn't, we call them "transgender".

[demioman3]

07:54 PM on 12/22/2011

I remember when people had to just deal with the reality of their own gender. Now it's acceptable for people to wallow in the delusion that they are the other gender. I have nothing against homosexuals. I have quite a few friends who are homosexual. I do have issues with possible mental illness not being investigated. If someone has become delusional, it needs to be addressed. If someone is having identity issues, the proper thing is to help them to accept their own identity. Not to let them imagine themselves to be someone that they are not. I feel sad when I see anyone calling this boy a she. As they are doing him a great disservice.

[LisaLore]

09:24 PM on 12/23/2011

1) this issue has nothing to do with homosexuality. Nor is it mentioned in the article above. So while it's good that you "have nothing against homosexuals", it's irrelevant to the topic.

2) Being aware of your gender is not a delusion. Even when your gender differs from your body's sex, that's not a delusion either. Although someone perhaps CAN have a delusion that they are transgendered (that their gender is different from their sex), truly transgendered people are not delusional. Their gender identity just doesn't match their body's sex. It's classified as a disorder, not a mental illness. And we cannot change their gender identity, so the only treatment that allows them to live happy, fulfilled lives, if they cannot live as their birth sex, is changing the body to match their gender identity.

3) Yes, if someone is having identity issues, the proper thing is to help them accept their own identity. In Bobby's case, that seems to be helping her accept her identity as a girl.

4) If she IS transgendered, then she IS a she, despite the boy parts. It would be a disservice (and disrespectful) to insist on calling her a he.

[demioman3]

10:13 PM on 12/23/2011

Homosexuality is implied whenever a person of one gender wishes to be the other gender. I am wanting this BOY to accept himself for who and what HE is. He should learn to embrace these things and like himself as he is. Anything else is just feeding an identity crisis and making it worse. Someone needs to find out why that boy so desperately wants to be a girl. It could be he is gay, and doesn't know how to deal with it properly. Anyway, I thank you for your comment, and am pleased that very few people actually believe as you do in these matters. There is hope that this boy may get the help he needs so that he will embrace who and what he is, and find real happiness.

[acasinofriend]

12:21 PM on 12/22/2011

Are you gay? You might be if you have not tried it. I propose allowing all school children to try gay.. It is their right to choose!!!

[LisaLore]

09:25 PM on 12/23/2011

Since this topic is not about being gay, why are you asking if we are gay?

Much less spouting a silly proposal to"allow all school children to try gay" (whatever that means. How do you "try gay"?)

Their right to choose? We don't choose our sexual orientation. It chooses us. Probably in the womb.

[acasinofriend]

11:42 PM on 12/23/2011

It is not silly to allow school children to try gay. Just simply pair boys with boys and girls with girls. They will play doctor and discover that they enjoy gay...

[acasinofriend]

12:21 PM on 12/22/2011

He is a boy or a girl?

[LisaLore]

09:26 PM on 12/23/2011

That's the big question. And we should let Bobby, her mother, their doctor, and any psychological professionals they see decide that. It's not up to us.

[cmpetrini]

09:55 PM on 12/21/2011

For more on this issue, I recommend this Boston Globe story about a wonderful child who was born with male anatomy but always identified female, and how her amazing family is helping her be true to herself:

http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2011/12/11/led-child-who-simply-knew/SsH1U9Pn9JKArTiumZdxaL/story.html

[roseknight]

09:44 AM on 12/05/2011

As a proud member of WAGGGS (World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts) the fact that Girl Scouts Colorado spoke up and extended an invitation and apology seriously brought a smile to my face. I do not know much about Bobby, whether she and her mother have gone through therapies and doctors and things to provide Bobby the emotional support she needs and understands, but from the very little provided it seems as though if this has not been done it is underway, then I'd like to welcome Bobby to the WAGGGS family. Cis or transgender, she identifies as female (at this age I would hope medical interventions aren't underway yet) and so I hope that she knows she is welcomed with open arms, and I wish the best for her future in Girl Scouts and hope she loves it just as much as I've loved my thirteen years in the organisation.

[Christina-Xena]

06:08 PM on 12/22/2011

What a warm, accepting and supportive sentiment from you, and is especially valued since it comes from a long-time member of WAGGGS. I wish the mother facing this challenge could recieve your message of support and read it, especially in the face of so much hate....and from all places .... a church school (as it turns out to be the behind the scenes source of the lack of acceptance, as stated in an updated article posted on 12-21-11.
(http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/21/girl-scout-troops-transgender-child-disband_n_1163971.html)

I wish others, the ones who are distractors for this child's girl-identity, were to be even half as much loving and open minded as yourself.

God bless.

[LisaLore]

09:34 PM on 12/23/2011

Hear hear, Christina.

And roseknight, you do WAGGGS proud yourself.

[rcraincrow]

10:00 PM on 11/15/2011

Girl Scouts of America, my commendation to you for such insight.

[AnJalyn]

04:00 PM on 11/04/2011

This story makes me sick, not because the child was not allowed to join the girl scouts, but because this little BOY is not being guided in the right direction by his mother. She ought to sit down with HIM and tell HIM that HE is a little boy, NOT a little girl.

[Carl Seitan]

01:35 AM on 11/11/2011

I don't think that you understand that sex and gender are not the same thing. Biologically, the child has XY sex chromosomes and has male genitalia. Psychologically, the child identifies as female. It can be incredibly damaging to an individual to attempt to force or shame them to conform to a gender that they don't identify as being.

[AnJalyn]

03:58 AM on 11/11/2011

How could this child possibly have the cognitive maturity to discern genders so well at that age, that he knew, without a shadow of a doubt, that he was definitely born in the wrong body?!

[ashiraladonai777]

08:00 PM on 12/22/2011

Don't you think though that shamelessness is too big a problem anymore w/ people?

[rcraincrow]

09:50 PM on 11/15/2011

I would say to you that you should do a little research on the subject of gender related issues. And no I am not going to rant on you statement (makes me sick) because I think you truly do not know anything about the gendered persons, knowledge is power, take care.

[AnJalyn]

11:20 PM on 11/15/2011

I am not interested in entertaining text book theories about gender confusion, I'm sorry its a problem, but when it involves a FATHERLESS, seven year-old boy, I will NOT stand in favor this encouragement. It doesn't matter how many doctors you line up outside the door, waiting to 'cure me of my ignorance', I will never support a seven year-old's choice to make such a steep decision at that age, ESPECIALLY when his mother has given him no guidance whatsoever and stupidly constructs skewed philosophies in favor of her child's whims. Where's her wisdom when this boy needs it? How is he to ever see anything wrong when she refuses to lead him in the right direction? Morale is power. Take care.

[crabbyman36]

07:42 PM on 10/31/2011

So, from the replies and posts that I have had the pleasure to read and respond to, it is the consensus of this board that this child should be castrated now, fed a steady diet of estrogen and have reconstruction surgery before he even has the opportunity to enter puberty. Well, isn't that special. Glad there are so many adults here looking out for his best interest.

[Fallon ForteSharvit]

08:24 PM on 10/31/2011

Glad there are so many men that want him to man up. So many people that understand the plight of the misunderstood. I love that you are so sensitive and understanding. The world needs more of you.

[crabbyman36]

09:09 AM on 11/01/2011

I'm glad you get it. Thanks! Mutilating children, as well as molesting them, neglecting them, or murdering them is wrong. I'm glad we can agree.

[AnJalyn]

11:31 PM on 11/04/2011

M'am, of course I know that not every predator is a homosexual or transgender. There are many straights who are, as well as the gays. My MAIN point was that I don't think we should sexually integrate genders in private areas because it could give a FOOTHOLD to people who actually are predators (they'd have to be straight by the way or they wouldn't do this) because they would have easier access to invade the privacy of the opposite of sex.

[MichaelH1969]

09:11 AM on 11/01/2011

You're still at it with the smoke & mirrors huh? I don't believe in, nor do any of my trans brothers and sisters (that I know) believe in medical/surgical intervention with a child. There is NO harm in allowing this child the freedom to express herself in any way she chooses UNTIL she is old enough to make the tougher decisions. She may very well hit puberty and not be trans (although hearing how adamant she is, and seeing her, I would say this probably won't be the case) but in the meantime, her parents are doing more good than harm by giving her the freedom of self expression. What's sad, is that in doing that, she is then forced to live in a society with hateful, ignorant, homophobes such as yourself. THAT'S the tragedy here.

[Curandera]

10:41 AM on 10/31/2011

For those who are not parents, you don't have a clue. For those who are parents, are your edicts and commandments to your child always adhered to instantly? If you want your kid to be a dancer, do they automatically become a dancer? If you want them not to just eat, but to love vegetables, do they switch an inner switch automatically? If you want them to be tough, to be gentle, to be nice, to stand up for themselves, do they comply to your demands instantly? I know the answer is "NO!" They don't. Kids are who they are.

You can explain why it is a good thing to share - you will have more friends, friends will share their toys with you. If you are too rough, you could hurt someone.

But sorry, there are some things that no matter how much you "parent" (their definition, not mine), you are not going to be able to talk a child into acting and being who you want them to be for their own good or for yours.

For those who have posted that this is somehow the Mom's fault or this is because of her encouragement, did you watch this video? Did you listen to this child? There was nothing coerced about this. This is who this child is - a very intelligent, happy, lovely, little girl.

[1amwoman]

10:13 AM on 10/31/2011

It is always so nice to read, some ones opinion that has no idea what they are talking about...This is no whim, it is a fact. Why do you think anyone would choose this to happen to them? If you truly knew what it is to be transgender, then you would empathies, not criticize. Of course as you so eloquently put it, "the child knows nothing about transgender... trannies...homosexuals etc." you can't, you just know you are different. We are just like you, when I was growing up I "PRETENDED" to be a bird or a butterfly, but I knew the difference between pretend and what I was feeling inside. I have been through all the ridicule and torment at that age, knowing you’re different and praying it will go away, but it never does . Do you really think these parents want to set their child up for ridicule and bullying? I certainly don't think so.
These are good parents. They are letting their child understand what choices she has. I hope they have a good grasp of what is in store for them in this world.
It is so sad that all this is a result of a little person wanting to live what she feels is a normal life…

[thoughts4uuu]

10:39 PM on 10/30/2011

When I was a child of about 6 I wanted to be a Bumble Bee. So I would fly throughout the house & buzz like a bee all day long. I was a kid playing. Get my point? My parents did not want to stick me in the neighbors bee hive! Nor did they encourage me to act like a bee. They new if they ignored it, I would out grow it! Never the less, I grew out of it and decided I would rather be a dog. I just loved barking at people. LOL. All joking aside....THIS IS A KID!....he knows nothing about transgender.. trannies..homosexuals etc. It is ridiculous for adults to even mention such things at this point. He is just playing..he will outgrow it...unless of course his mother keeps encouraging it...that will eventually lead to a mentally disturbed kid. I think that the mother is doing a great disservice to her child by humoring him and letting him join the girl scouts. Let him play within reason at home, cook with his mom etc. But when it comes to catering to his whims such as girl scouts or dressing as a girl and going to school...the answer is no...kids need their boundaries set...it's called responsible parenting!. After all the child is probably doing this for attention....come to think about it perhaps so is the mother!

[duncansdad]

11:05 AM on 10/31/2011

So if people do things that you don't comprehend, they are doing it for attention? Do you realize how ridiculous you sound?

[Curandera]

11:48 AM on 10/31/2011

Really? Did you insist on dressing like a bumble bee? Did you only eat bumble bee food? When kids bullied you and laughed at you, did you wish you weren't a bumble bee but found yourself slipping into being a bumble bee day after day after day?

Do you get the difference?

This isn't something someone does for attention. There are a whole boat load of things kids do for attention and this is not one of them. Did you happen to watch the video before you posted? Did you listen to that kid? Did that kid give any indication that they were doing it for attention or did that kid act and sound exactly like a little girl.

Do you really think if the kid had his hair short and was given toy trucks, he would seem any less than a girl or would he act exactly like a girl putting his trucks to bed and trying to dress them up? That kid is acting the girl because that's what that kid feels she is.

[nicko68]

01:44 PM on 10/30/2011

It's called Girl Scouts for a reason.
They're called Ladies Rooms for a reason.
I have never met a 6 or 7 year old that had a clue about much of anything.

[light2you]

09:19 PM on 10/30/2011

I think that may be the most un-intelligent thing I have ever heard in my entire life...seriously.

[janeinmia]

10:32 PM on 11/01/2011

You do know that some babies are born with sexually ambiguous anatomy, right? How do they fit in your narrow, narrow world?

[KarmaPatrol]

11:03 AM on 10/30/2011

This one is a tough call assuming the mother is getting the kid to therapy. While not optimal it probably better that a transgender grows up in the gender comfortable with vs. a closeted child switching later during adulthood, and especially coming-out later to a not-knowing spouse as a 300-lb unhappy drag queen. Having seen some late-coming out individuals (MtF) try to cope on the mean streets of Los Angeles and San Francisco, it's best to resolve this before or during puberty (JMHO but unless you've seen the consequences you do not know what you are talking about).

[Kael Mc]

07:14 PM on 10/31/2011

I heard Michelle Bachman and her "husband" can "cure" his "gay".

[Valerie Keefe]

05:28 PM on 11/26/2011

"His" ought to be in sarcastiquotes... and I do sort of wonder if the Bachmanns are a lesbian couple, but that's between them.