GOP lawmaker: 'Radicalized' Girl Scouts 'sexualizing' recruits

A Republican lawmaker has become only member of the Indiana House to refuse to honor the Girl Scouts 100th birthday because he said they have become a "radicalized organization" that promotes the "homosexual lifestyle."

Republican state Rep. Bob Morris on Saturday sent a letter (PDF) to his fellow House Republicans explaining why he wouldn't sign on to the resolution, according the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette.

"After talking to some well-informed constituents, I did a small amount of web-based research, and what I found is disturbing," Morris wrote. "[A]bundant evidence proves that the agenda of Planned Parenthood includes sexualizing young girls through the Girl Scouts, which is quickly becoming a tactical arm of Planned Parenthood."

"Many parents are abandoning the Girl Scouts because they promote homosexual lifestyles," the lawmaker opined. "In fact, the Girl Scouts education seminar girls are directed to study the example of role models. Of the fifty role models listed, only three have a briefly-mentioned religious background—all the rest are feminists, lesbians, or Communists. ... Boys who decide to claim a 'transgender' or cross-dressing life-style are permitted to become a member of a Girl Scout troop, performing crafts with the girls and participate in overnight and camping activities—just like any

real girl."

"As members of the Indiana House of Representatives, we must be wise before we use the credibility and respect of the 'Peoples’ House' to extend legitimacy to a radicalized organization," he adeed. "I challenge each of you to examine these matters more closely before you extend your name and your reputation to endorse a group that has been subverted in the name of liberal progressive politics and the destruction of traditional American family values."

Girl Scouts of Central Indiana chief operating officer Cathy Ritchie told WRTV that Morris had his facts wrong.

"I'd like to just debunk that," she said. "Girl Scouts believe that all matters of faith and anything that's a sensitive issue at all belongs at home. It belongs to the family. It belongs to the family's community, place of worship. That's not what we're about in Girl Scouts."

For his part, Morris said that his daughters would be leaving the Girl Scouts to join the American Heritage Girls Little Flowers organization.

American Heritage Girls is "character development organization for young women that embraces Christian values and encourages family involvement," according to their website.

"[W]e recognize that our overall mission as part of God’s family is the Great Commission, as commanded by our Lord, Jesus Christ."

Watch this video from WRTV, broadcast Feb. 20, 2012.

Photo: Flickr/Girl Scouts of San Gorgonio

(H/T: Newser)