Texas Teen Becomes First Transgender Eagle Scout

The Eagle Scouts have added into their ranks their first out, transgender boy since their inception in 1911. From the small town of Splendora, TX, 17-year-old Jace King is the first openly transgender child to ever become an Eagle Scout.

In 2017, the organization formally known as the Boy’s Scouts of America changed their name to the more gender-neutral BSA and starting allowing transgender boys into their programs, paving the way for King’s historic achievement.

Typically, earning the Eagle Scouts badge takes four to six years, but King was forced to do it in just two because he needed to earn the award before he turned 18. To accomplish the feat, he worked with two different troops and spent weekends and time after school working toward becoming an Eagle Scout. King said he is inspired by his older brother who became an Eagle Scout and wanted to follow in his footsteps.

It was not only difficult because of the abbreviated amount of time he was given, but also because of the harassment he experienced upon the way. A Facebook page announcing his achievement had to disable comments after they became hateful.

“I’ve been berated and looked down upon by older adults who were associated with the scouts, saying that I shouldn’t be there,” King tells ABC 13,“that I should be in the Girl Scouts instead.”

His mother commented that although there was hate, there was also a lot of support for Jace.

“I’ve seen a lot of backlash, but truth be told, when Jace became true to themselves, it made them a stronger person. In that right, as they became stronger … wiser people began to accept them just for who they are,” his mother said.

The achievement was a strong sign of hope for transgender kids around the U.S who hope to join BSA’s program and find success. However, around the U.S, and in Texas in particular, anti-trans legislation is being debated. Texas lawmakers have introduced more than 20 bills that attack the rights of trans people in their state, the most in the country by far.