Park Ridge Girl Scout Leader Removed Over Social Media Posts Criticizing LGBTQ+ Activism

photo of Alexandra Bougher

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

PARK RIDGE, NJ — A longtime Girl Scout troop leader in Bergen County says she was removed from her volunteer position after sharing social media posts critical of the organization’s perceived shift toward LGBTQIA+ activism and gender identity discussions.

Alexandra Bougher, 45, who served as a troop leader in Park Ridge for seven years, told NJ Advance Media that she was dismissed in a phone call with officials from the Girl Scouts of Northern New Jersey on Wednesday. Bougher is also the Bergen County chair of Moms for Liberty, a parents’ rights advocacy group that has been outspoken against certain school curricula related to LGBTQ rights, race, and gender.

Controversy Over Social Media Posts

Bougher said Girl Scout officials declined to specify which of her social media posts violated their code of conduct, but she believes it stemmed from her criticism of the council’s June Pride Month post.

“I reposted it and I said, ‘just to be clear, my troop will not be doing this,’” Bougher told reporters. “I guess that’s the one. They refused to tell me, but I’m assuming it was that.”

She also expressed objections to events where LGBTQ+ symbols or gender identity discussions were present, including one where a transgender teen spoke to scouts, and another hosted at a church displaying a Progressive Pride flag.

Bougher’s Statement

On Facebook, Bougher defended her position, writing:

“I’m proud to stand up for the safety of our children and will always stand up to adults that push woke indoctrination to minors. You will not groom kids on my watch.”

Bougher added that she believes “sexual or political discussions” are inappropriate in scouting and said many parents in her troop shared similar concerns.

Girl Scouts of Northern New Jersey Responds

The Girl Scouts of Northern New Jersey has not publicly commented on Bougher’s dismissal. An internal email reportedly circulated by a service unit manager encouraged troop leaders to review the organization’s policies and mission statements, which outline support for diversity and inclusion.

Bougher said the council told her the decision was final and added that both she and her daughter were barred from future participation.

A Broader Cultural Divide

This controversy comes amid growing debates over the role of activism, gender identity, and inclusivity in youth organizations. Some parents support efforts to embrace diversity, while others — like Bougher — argue that such topics go beyond the traditional mission of Girl Scouts and are up to the individual parents to decide.

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