Local trans woman Eagle Scout receives medal, reflects on path to achievement

KXAN ^ | October 22, 2020 | Todd Bailey

[Ciaphas Cain]

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Beatrix Jackman was nearly speechless.

“I don’t even know what to say.”

Her mask fell off because she was smiling so much over her gift — one she rightfully earned.

“Thank you to everybody who has helped me along this path.” (KXAN Photo/Todd Bailey)

Jackman, 19, is officially an Eagle Scout as a member of Scouts BSA Troop 2019. She received her Eagle award Thursday morning outside her home in north central Austin. Capitol Area Council’s Director of Marketing and Public Relations Charles Mead surprised her and her mom Julie Ziegelman with the medal and certificate.

“I’m so happy,” Jackman said.

This achievement and ranking is one of many along her journey.

Jackman is a transgender woman. She was confident enough to tell her troop in middle school she identified as female shortly after achieving her Life ranking. The initial reception wasn’t warm.

“Their response was that I could either keep presenting as male there, I could do lone Scouting, or I could quit,” she said.

She chose the latter, leaving Scouting for a while but decided to return when news of transgender boys being allowed in circulated. However, she had to wait until transgender girls were allowed in 2019.

“Why come back? It was important for me to finish. It was important for me to blaze this path so others could follow,” Jackman said.

Through all the loops and hurdles, she is now part of the Capitol Area Council’s inaugural class of female Eagle Scouts. A goal that unfortunately bears a regret.

“The biggest thing I regret is that my grandma died in June and missed being here to see me become an Eagle,” Jackman said. “But, she was so proud of me and knew I would succeed.”

[myerson]

I made Eagle in 1960. Not too many made it past 2nd class in those days because 1st class required proficiency in Morse Code.

[fwdude]

Anyone know if the Order of the Arrow has been abolished from Scouting as “hate speech” yet?

[sleddogs]

This makes me sad for the boys and furious at these ungodly perversions forced on an institution that I fully supported. I was an Explorer Scout and later was a cubmaster and later a Scoutmaster for 11 years. I’m a proud father of an Eagle scout and mentored 6 other Eagle Scouts.

[Vermont Lt]

I thought the clock ran out at 18.

Why does anyone follow ANY rules anymore?

Eagle Scout 1974.

[Vermont Lt]

That makes sense.

[Ouderkirk]

I am so glad my kids got out of scouting two years ago.

Being and Eagle Scout used to mean something...no longer.

[The MAGA-Deplorian]

Its amazing how far Texas has slipped into hell! Thank you ‘Dickhead’ Perry for ruining the state with Californians! Soon to be blue unfortuniately!

[jroehl]

This whole thread is heartrending. God bless all of you past scouts.

[dfwgator]

The worst thing that happened to the Boy Scouts was accepting corporate funding.

Corporations are evil. The Left owns them.

[fwdude]

It’s not the Boy Scouts anymore. It’s not even the “I-don’t-know” Scouts.

[Bull Snipe]

That was a tough requirement in those days. That skill served me well in my Navy career.

[Chickensoup]

This is serious?

This is something that an overly sensitive 11 year old would come up with...

[TexasGator]

“This is serious?”

Yep.

[TXBlair]

Beatrix put the “man” in Jackman.

[TXBlair]

One of the all-time greatest gifs, right there.

[fwdude]

If anyone still has any illusions that there is still hope for the Boy Scouts, here is a cold splash of water straight from the “Scouting” website:

VIEW

The mission of VIEW is to promote an inclusive community for BSA’s LGBTQ+ employees and their allies. The group will strive to support diversity across the organization. It will work to recruit and retain LGBTQ+ employees, and will support their career growth through networking and educational opportunities. VIEW aims to be a trusted resource for LGBTQ+ employees throughout their Scouting journey.

VIEW – Visible, Included, Empowered and Welcomed.

Diversity & Inclusions Strategic Plan 2019 - 2020

https://i9peu1ikn3a16vg4e45rqi17-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/2019-2020-DI-Strategic-Plan-060519.pdf

This is MANDATED organization wide. Read it and weep.

[tbw2]

Conservative Boy Scout Alternatives
https://wehavekids.com/youth-programs/Conservative-Boy-Scout-Alternatives

[tbw2]

Can Hatred of Christians Lead to Support of Sexual Minorities?
https://www.thepublicdiscourse.com/2019/03/50399/