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Loading ...‘Ex-gays’ sue DC human rights office
10.14.2008 1:22pm EDT
(Washington) A national organization that claims homosexuality is a matter of choice and that gays can be “cured” has filed a lawsuit against the Washington DC Office of Human Rights, accusing it of failing to protect “ex-gays.”
The DC Human Rights Act prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression.Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays & Gays, or PFOX, says in its suit that the Office of Human Rights does not recognize “ex-gays.”
The suit asks the DC Superior Court to direct the Office to include former homosexuals under the sexual orientation law.
“The ex-gay community is the most bullied and maligned group in America, yet they are not protected by sexual orientation non-discrimination laws,” said Regina Griggs, PFOX executive director, in a statement.
“Shouldn’t ex-gays enjoy the same legal protections that gays enjoy?” asked Griggs in the statement.
“Former homosexuals and their friends have been fired from their jobs, repeatedly ridiculed, assaulted, and intimidated. This harassment is most often perpetrated by the same groups who demand protection under sexual orientation laws but work to deny ex-gays the same respect.”
Griggs also said that the group wants protections for “ex-gays” in federal legislation – specifically the Employment Non-Discrimination Act known as ENDA.
“PFOX is especially concerned because Presidential candidate Barack Obama has failed to answer PFOX’s Aug. 25th letter asking if ex-gays will be included in sexual orientation legislation which Obama says he will sign into law as President,” said Griggs.
ENDA has passed the House but has yet to be taken up by the Senate. It would outlaw discrimination based on sexual orientation in employment, credit and housing.
“Former homosexuals should have the right to be out, open and safe in society,” said Griggs. “On his website, Senator Obama says he supports gay and transgender rights because he supports civil rights for all persons, but does that include ex-gays? Americans need to know where Obama stands on the issue of ex-gay inclusion because his pledge to pass homosexual and transgender legislation as President will affect all of us. We urge Senator Obama to end his silence.”
This group is obviously attempting to get Obama to say something that will cause “independent” religious individuals to vote for McCain or to disenfranchise gay voters. Regardless, it is an attempt to deny Obama the presidency. We should ignore this nefarious attempt, and I hope that Obama does not buy into their guile. What does McCain say on the subject?
Non-discrimination laws are extremely important to persons affected by such discrimination. Sexual orientation is a category of protection that is shared by all persons and not a “special right” extended to gays. Your sexual orientation is self-identified and that protection is extended to all persons regardless of their sexual orientation. Therefore, it will not matter if you are heterosexual, homosexual or neither: the same protection is extended to you.
This is the most ridiculous claim I’ve ever heard.
Here is how it will go. The day before they win their case they join Gay groups.
The day after they win their case they now want to still be in the gay group but demand the right to say and shout anti-gay bullshite at gay positve rallies, fundraisers etc…
What an evil plan….!
What’s their deal Now they support such legislation? What about their stupid ad that goes something along the lines as the law would find them more acceptable as homosexual then former. Obama should say this legislation would cover both LGBT and Ex LGBT to get them of their backs. Isn’t Ex LGBT straight anyway? This isn’t special rights.
Wow! It’s official, the world has entered the twilight zone. How rich in chutzpah must these people be to try a stunt like this. Clearly they have brass ones but sadly no brains to go with them. How utterly pedantic these people are becoming. As David Ta stated, either gay or straight or maybe assexual but please decide. What Rot!
Just what we need … more noise from the right.
““The ex-gay community … are not protected by sexual orientation non-discrimination laws,” said Regina Griggs”
Maybe because being discriminated against for being an ex-gay has nothing to do with being discriminated because of ones sexual orientation?
I think the most dangerous thing we in the gay community can do is to write this off as silly and ludicrous. The fact that the “ex-gay” movement is an ever growing social phenomenon suggests they are not going away anytime soon, and now is not the time to brush this off as unworthy of our attention.
What joke!!! If they truly are “ex-gay,” then, yes, they are straight. Even if they are now straight, how many of them are really so terribly affected? Zero!
wait a minute, wait a minute, wait a minute…
isn’t this special treatment that the hardcore (i would include P-Fox as hardcore) anti-gay organizations such as FOF and American Eagle deride at every step of the way? will they realize that they are being hypocritical? or that they are aking the courts to be “activistic”? nahhhhhh… they’re not smart enough.
This is absurd and almost satirical.
This is clearly just a publicity stunt.
1. The DC Office of Human Rights cannot change the law, merely administer it, so they cannot be successfully sued for what is in the law itself.
2. The presumption that they are not already included under the law is incorrect.
The DC Human Rights Act states that it is legal to discriminate in employment, housing, public accommodations, education, and government services for a variety of reasons including “actual or perceived … sexual orientation”
“‘Sexual orientation’ means male or female homosexuality, heterosexuality and bisexuality, by preference or practice.”
So, “ex-gays” are either heterosexual, certainly they want to be perceived that way, or they are homosexual, or bisexual. All three are covered and have been since 1971.
Are they perhaps arguing that they are a unique sexual orientation previously unknown? They might have an argument then, but they still wouldn’t have a case.
3. No specific discrimination is being alleged, and in no case did the Office of Human Rights fail to investigate a reported case.
“Former homosexuals and their friends have been fired from their jobs, repeatedly ridiculed, assaulted, and intimidated. This harassment is most often perpetrated by the same groups who demand protection under sexual orientation laws but work to deny ex-gays the same respect.”
Actually, in DC, gay groups have worked hard to protect everyone’s rights. The Gay and Lesbian Activists Alliance of Washington, DC even publicly argued and lobbied for PFOX to be able to display their PSAs on the Metro.
So they want brainwashing protected by law? Now that’s truly an abuse!
After being cured, I thought they were straights, not “ex-gays”.