Transgender Boy Ousted from Cub Scouts
KRISTIE MALDONADO, MOTHER OF EIGHT-YEAR-OLD TRANSGENDER BOY: Hi.</s>JOE MALDONADO, OUSTED FROM CUB SCOUTS OVER GENDER IDENTITY: Good.</s>LEMON: A merry belated Christmas.</s>J. MALDONADO: Thank you.</s>LEMON: I understand you got a drone for Christmas.</s>J. MALDONADO: Yes.</s>LEMON: Are you excited?</s>J. MALDONADO: Yes.</s>LEMON: We forget in all of this that we're dealing with an eight-year- old - an eight year old boy here. When you got the call from the scouts saying that they didn't want him to participate, what was your reaction?</s>K. MALDONADO: I was angry and hurt because he was going for a month and he was enjoying himself. Right from the beginning, I actually got permission, because I had asked to see if he could join. And they had mentioned no problem. So, I went, I gave them my fee, I filled out the application, and everything was going well for a month and then I received a phone call from the council saying that he can no longer be in the scouts because his identity is a female.</s>LEMON: But you - you told them? You asked about it, right? So what do you think changed? What changed, do you think?</s>K. MALDONADO: I believe it had to do with some of the parents. They made a call.</s>LEMON: Yes.</s>K. MALDONADO: Because they didn't ask for a birth certificate.</s>LEMON: Uh-huh. Yes.</s>K. MALDONADO: Umm, so -</s>LEMON: So what - why did you want to join?</s>J. MALDONADO: Because my friend was a - a boy - in the Boy Scouts and it was really fun. I had a barbecue. I was playing with my friends. It had a science - I did science experiments. And it was just so fun. I can't believe this happened.</s>K. MALDONADO: Right. The last day he was in, they had a big party and it was three hours. It was around Halloween. They had cupcakes. They were giving out badges. And then downstairs they were doing like science experiments. So he had a lot of fun the last day. And then, four days later, I received a call from the council.</s>LEMON: Joe, how did this make you feel when you heard that?</s>J. MALDONADO: Well, it made me feel sad at first but then I got really mad.</s>LEMON: Yes. Yes. And no crying, you were just mad and upset about it, right?</s>J. MALDONADO: Yes, I wasn't - I wasn't crying. No.</s>LEMON: Yes. You don't think it's fair?</s>J. MALDONADO: No, not at all.</s>LEMON: Why not?</s>J. MALDONADO: Because - because - because all my friends get to do it and I can't.</s>LEMON: Yes. Kristie, this is what the Boy Scouts released a statement. They're saying, "it was brought to our attention that their child does not meet the eligibility requirements to participate in this program. So Boy Scouts of America, BSA, leadership reached out to the family to inform them and share information on alternative programs." Did they explain the eligibility requirements before?</s>K. MALDONADO: They did not. The last time I talked to them was that day when he mentioned that he could no longer be in the Boy Scouts. And that was on the phone. That was the last time.</s>LEMON: What are the alternatives that they presented to you?</s>K. MALDONADO: They didn't.</s>LEMON: They didn't say anything?</s>K. MALDONADO: No.</s>LEMON: No?</s>K. MALDONADO: No, not at all.</s>LEMON: At all? At all?</s>K. MALDONADO: No. The conversation on the phone, no.</s>LEMON: Yes. Not at all?</s>K. MALDONADO: No.</s>LEMON: No. And you want to be a part of the Cub Scouts?</s>J. MALDONADO: Absolutely.</s>LEMON: Correct? So what do you say? You know, people are watching. I know, you know, you're a big guy, eight years old, what do you say to people out there who are wondering why you wanted to join, and, you know, about this whole thing, what's going on?</s>J. MALDONADO: Well, I really don't understand why they kicked me out all because I was born a girl. This - this is just ridiculous.</s>K. MALDONADO: Because he lives as a boy. His identity is a boy. He wouldn't look right if I put him in Girl Scouts.</s>LEMON: Do you think that you're going to help people understand transgender issues? Do you think that maybe this - there was a reason that this happened? That maybe you're going to sort of be a conduit to the public to help people understand this?</s>J. MALDONADO: Yes. Yes.</s>LEMON: Mom, same question.</s>K. MALDONADO: I just feel they should go by - they should accept all transgenders, and go by their identity and not go by their birth certificates.</s>LEMON: I see - I see the way you're looking at him. What did you - what did you say to him?</s>K. MALDONADO: When -</s>LEMON: What do you say to him when - when you found out? How do you explain it, the conversation?</s>K. MALDONADO: He was actually in the car when I got the phone call.</s>LEMON: Yes. And it upset you more than it did him.</s>K. MALDONADO: It did. It did.</s>LEMON: Are you -</s>K. MALDONADO: Because he wants to just live life normal. He plays basketball. Everything's going well in school. He's accepting by his peers. I don't understand what the issue is.</s>LEMON: Are you going to take - are you considering legal action with this?</s>K. MALDONADO: I am not.</s>LEMON: Yes.</s>K. MALDONADO: No.</s>LEMON: Yes. Anything you want -</s>K. MALDONADO: I think this is the best way to go.</s>LEMON: Yes. Are you going to be OK if you can't participate?</s>J. MALDONADO: Yes, I guess.</s>LEMON: Yes. Thank you. I appreciate you joining us. Thank you, Joe.</s>K. MALDONADO: Ah, thank you.</s>LEMON: Thank you. Best of luck to you. Happy New Year.</s>K. MALDONADO: Thank you.</s>LEMON: Poppy.</s>HARLOW: What a great interview. Thank you, mom. Thank you, Joe. We'll stay on this one. Still to come for us, the death of Hollywood legend Debbie Reynolds just a day after her daughter, Carrie Fisher, passed away. Up next, we will speak with one of Reynolds' longtime friends, Tab Hunter, about her life and her legacy. But first, what you eat before you work out can be just as important as the exercise itself. Whoops, I've already screwed up on that this morning. CNN health writer Jacqueline Howard shares some nutritionist approved picks in today's "Food as Fuel."</s>JACQUELINE HOWARD, CNN HEALTH WRITER: Fueling up before exercise comes down to carbs. Before a moderate workout, like brisk walking or swimming, nutritionists recommend a low-fat granola bar or a banana. For more high intensity workouts, go for pasta or peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Timing also matters. Eat one to four hours before exercise. And if you like to work out first thing in the morning, nutritionists say to still eat something first, like eggs, toast, or fruit and yogurt. My personal favorite, multigrain toast with peanut butter, sliced bananas and a dash of cinnamon. Yum.