MAPLEWOOD WELCOMES FIRST TRANSGENDER SCOUT

Joe Maldonado. Photo:NorthJersey.com

Maplewood has prided itself for years as a welcoming community for gay, lesbian and transgender people.

Whether its hosting the annual New Jersey Pride Festival or being among the first communities to hold a mass same-sex wedding event.

But this week the Township went a step further when Cub Scout Pack 20 became the first such scout group in the nation to have a transgender member.

Photo:NorthJersey.com

After the national Boy Scouts changed its policy recently, the local pack officially welcomed young Joe Maldonado, 9, of Secaucus on Tuesday night.

Maldonado had gained national attention after his hometown scout troop declined to allow his membership weeks ago.

At that time, Pack 20 leader Kyle Hackler advised his family that the Maplewood group would love to have him. Once the national organization gave the green light last month, he could be official.

His first meeting was Tuesday night at Clinton School. NorthJersey.com covered the event for his hometown.

See their report HERE.