TL;DR

• Trans Girl Scouts across the US have collectively sold 71,254 boxes of cookies through a list curated by journalist Erin Reed.
• That’s at least $427,000 worth of sales in just three weeks.
• The drive exists to bring joy and support to trans kids amid a harsh wave of anti-trans legislation.
• Nearly 200 scouts are participating, with the cookie season still ongoing.

Trans Girl Scouts Sell Over 71,000 Cookies Thanks to Inspiring Viral Campaign

A group of transgender Girl Scouts across the United States have collectively sold over 71,000 boxes of cookies, thanks to a heartwarming campaign designed to bring a little joy to trans youth in an increasingly hostile political climate.

Every year, independent journalist and activist Erin Reed curates a list of trans and non-binary Girl Scouts so supporters can buy cookies directly from them. The goal is simple: help them fundraise, help them shine, and help them feel valued in a country where their rights are under relentless attack.

In a post published Thursday (22 January), Reed revealed that this year’s list — nearly 200 participating scouts — had already facilitated the sale of 71,254 boxes, priced at $6 each. That amounts to at least $427,524 raised in just three weeks.

And cookie season still has months to go.

While Reed notes that there’s no way to measure exactly how many of those sales are the direct result of her campaign, the reach is undeniable. On Facebook alone, the post has been viewed more than 2 million times.

A rare source of joy in a difficult time

The success of the fundraiser comes against a grim backdrop. Anti-trans legislation has reached record-breaking levels across the United States.

According to the Human Rights Campaign:

• 39.4% of trans youth now live in states where gender-affirming care is restricted or banned.
• The ACLU has tracked 2,004 anti-LGBTQ+ bills since 2023.
• A staggering 345 anti-LGBTQ+ bills have already been introduced in the first weeks of 2026 alone.

For the families of trans children, the emotional impact is immense.

Reed says that messages from families pour in every year — gratitude, relief, and stories of kids who feel seen for the first time.

“Transgender youth in the United States are under extraordinary pressure right now,” she said.
“Again and again, families and scouts themselves say the cookie drive has become a rare source of joy — a reminder that people across the country see them, value them, and care about their lives.”

Why the campaign matters

Girl Scout cookies are more than a fundraiser — they’re a rite of passage. They help scouts build confidence, leadership skills, and community connections. But for trans scouts, participating publicly can sometimes bring risk instead of celebration.

Reed’s campaign turns that narrative on its head. By directing supportive buyers to scouts who may otherwise struggle, it gives these kids something priceless: pride.

And leadership in the Girl Scouts organisation continues to affirm that the movement welcomes trans and non-binary children, a stance Reed says first inspired her to begin amplifying their cookie sales back in 2022.

How to support

If you’re US-based, you can still purchase from one of the 189 participating scouts via Reed’s list. Buyers are encouraged to choose scouts who haven’t yet reached their sales goals and to use the “ship the cookies” option when ordering.

🍪 A box of cookies may be small — but for these kids, it’s a message of love in a year that hasn’t given them nearly enough.