Regina Griggs, the executive director of Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays & Gays, probably has a certificate of appreciation hanging on her wall that you do not. Hers is from Adrian Fenty, known to the masses as the (gay-friendly) mayor of Washington D.C., and was delivered in November. It was given “in recognition of your dedication, commitment, and outstanding contributions as Executive Director of Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays and Gays,” and was circulated in a press release PFOX issued yesterday. The Gay and Lesbian Activist Alliance, based in D.C., is all “Uh, WTF?” Which is understandable, given PFOX is a hack group that, while entitled to spew its bullshit, is actually doing much harm to gay people. And for that, Fenty is sorry.
Cam
I’m sure that HRC will think that pointing out to the Mayor that this group is actually anti-gay would be being “Too Pushy”.
Brutus
Why is it so difficult to believe that, these days, someone might grow up thinking he or she is gay but later realize that he or she isn’t, and have to “come out” as straight, while facing charges from every side that he or she is going back into the closet and denying his or her true self?
Have some compassion.
Cam
No. 2 · Brutus
Why is it so difficult to believe that, these days, someone might grow up thinking he or she is gay but later realize that he or she isn’t, and have to “come out” as straight, while facing charges from every side that he or she is going back into the closet and denying his or her true self?
Have some compassion.
______________________
These people aren’t saying they are “Straight” they are saying “Ex Gay” which is nothing more than a political attempt to try and get publicity for their claims that being gay can be “Cured”. If these people suddenly decide that they are only attracted to the opposit sex, there is no reason for them to go out and picket and demand to be recognized as “Ex Gay” would it? Because they would be straight, so stop trying the phony bullshit.
Explain to me about where these people are getting discriminated against if they TRULY are only now attracted to the opposit sex. Lets see, they get a job, go to work, introduce people to their “Opposit sex” spouse and….oh wait, thats right, no discrimination.
Lastly, here is a nice little sentance from PFOX’s website.
“Sexual orientation is a matter of self-affirmation and public declaration. “Gay” is a self-chosen identity.” Oh gee, no, they aren’t anti-gay.
Lamar
@Brutus: Why is it so difficult to believe that, these days, someone might grow up thinking he or she is gay but later realize that he or she isn’t, and have to “come out” as straight, while facing charges from every side that he or she is going back into the closet and denying his or her true self?
Have some compassion.
Ex gays are not that people who thought they were gay and then miraculously discovered that they were straight. Ex gays are gays who believe that if they ignore their true orientation it will be changed to the acceptable standard, if it doesn’t at least living a ‘heterosexual’ lifestyle will change them. Unfortunately it has hurt our community in untold ways. People often lose hope and commit suicide when they find that the therapies to change their orientation simply don’t work. As long as ex gays exist oppostion to LGBT rights will flourish because politicians will be like’why should we give these people rights when they can choose to be normal?’.
Brutus
@Cam
@Lamar
You’re both demonstrating the point. “Ex gays are gays who believe that if they ignore their true orientation it will be changed to the acceptable standard.”
How do you know? The only person who knows if someone is gay is that person his or herself. Some of, if not most of these people, probably are deluded and scared, and we should do everything we can to help them come to terms with their sexuality. But that might not be the case for everyone, and we shouldn’t continue to stamp them with a gay label for the rest of their lives.
“Explain to me about where these people are getting discriminated against if they TRULY are only now attracted to the opposite sex.”
In and from this community. From people who refuse to acknowledge the possibility that some people who used to live a gay lifestyle are actually straight. Tell me you wouldn’t call such a person a big phony and a disgrace.
“Gay” IS a self-chosen identity. There are plenty of bi- and homosexuals who do not identify as gay—and how many times have you encountered someone who says, “Oh, I don’t do the whole gay scene thing.”
Just live and let people live.
jeffree
@Brutus: Ex-gays need no special protection.
Once a person becomes “ex gay” s/he is now str8, and nobody else would know of their exgayness unless the newly minted str8 person made it a point.
The exgay can now legally get married, can easily adopt, and faces no risk of employment discrimination.
Please do realize there are *also* Ex ex-gays out there. They identify as lgb.
Brutus
@Jeffree
Ex-gays do need special protection if the gays are going to crusade against them and say they’re being brainwashed and unnatural and all the other things that sound so crap when the right-wingers say them about us.
Like anyone would believe it if NPH or Lance Bass said tomorrow, “Just kidding, I’m straight.”
Hyhybt
Well, after all, why should people believe lies?