Indiana State Representative Bob Morris claims that the Girl Scouts are a 'radicalized organization'

INDIANAPOLIS -- The Girl Scouts of Central Indiana responded Monday to an Indiana state representative's claims that the scouts are a "radicalized organization" that supports abortion and promotes homosexuality.

State Rep. Bob Morris, R-Fort Wayne, made several incendiary allegations regarding the Girl Scouts in a letter sent to fellow Indiana House Republicans that implored others to oppose a nonbinding resolution celebrating the 100th anniversary of the organization.

"Many parents are abandoning the Girl Scouts because they promote homosexual lifestyles," Morris' letter reads. "In fact, the Girl Scouts education seminar girls are directed to study the example of role models. Of the 50 role models listed, only three have a briefly-mentioned religious background -- all the rest are feminists, lesbians, or Communists."

He also wrote that the fact that first lady Michelle Obama is honorary president should give lawmakers pause and that "abundant 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."

"The stand of the Girl Scouts of Central Indiana is definitely at odds with what he said," said Cathy Ritchie, chief operating officer of the Girl Scouts of Central Indiana.

Morris said his claims were based on conversations with well-informed constituents and a small amount of web-based research.

"I'd like to just debunk that. Girl Scouts believe that all matters of faith and anything that's a sensitive issue at all belongs at home," Ritchie said. "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."

Morris said that based on his research, he will not support the "Year of the Girl" initiative. He has two daughters who he said were Girl Scouts, but they are now participating in another organization to "learn about values and principles that will not confuse their conservative Hoosier upbringing."

Morris was elected to the Indiana House in 2010.

More Information: Rep. Bob Morris Letter On Girl Scouts Of America