Saturday, June 2, 2012
Dale O'Leary is blogging
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Same-Sex Attractions in Youth and Their Right to Informed Consent
Youth have the right to be provided with the accurate medical and psychological knowledge about homosexuality by pediatricians, mental health professionals, school counselors, educators and parents. Presently, well-organized attempts are under way to attempt to block youth from being given both the appropriate scientific knowledge, and informed consent about: same-sex attractions, gender identity disorder, transsexual issues, the psychological needs of a child for father and mother, and marriage.
http://www.hprweb.com/2012/05/same-sex-attractions-in-youth-and-their-right-to-informed-consent/
Another Outrage in California
As of today, it is legal in California to give hormone blockers to an 11 year-old boy in order to delay the onset of puberty, but it could soon be illegal for a 17 year-old with unwanted same-sex attractions to receive professional counseling, even with parental consent. This is an absolute travesty.
http://townhall.com/columnists/michaelbrown/2012/06/01/another_outrage_in_california
Blacks Speak Out
GO TO AFTAH ONLINE: http://americansfortruth.com/2012/02/13/aftah-interview-with-pastor-patrick-wooden-part-five/
Slams Al Sharpton for endorsing “gay marriage,” says Obama’s promotion of homosexualist agenda shows he “is not a Christian”
North Carolina pastor Patrick Wooden is interviewed by a local TV reporter in Montgomery, Alabama, following AFTAH’s press conference last month condemning the Southern Poverty Law Center's leftist “hate” campaign against AFTAH and other pro-family groups.
This is the fifth and final part of our interview with Patrick Wooden [click HERE to listen], pastor of Upper Room Church of God in Christ, in Raleigh, NC. This was pre-recorded and aired Feb. 11, 2012. Wooden criticizes Rev. Al Sharpton for endorsing same-sex “marriage” [Sharpton's pro-homosexual-"marriage" statement for the "gay" lobby group Human Rights Campaign is played on air]. “Al disagrees with the God of the Bible,” says Wooden. He also chides NAACP President Ben Jealous for speaking at the annual conference of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF)– a leftist organization that supports “polyamory,” sadomasochism, radical transgenderism, and other assorted perversions. Moreover, Wooden says Rev. William Barber, President of NAACP-North Carolina, is wrong for pledging to fight against North Carolina’s pro-traditional-marriage constitutional amendment, to be voted on in May. (Jealous recalls how Barber told him to ”make sure that that [NGLTF] crowd knows that we are doing everything we can to stop that silly amendment from becoming law.”)
After AFTAH President Peter LaBarbera notes that President Barack Obama is the most pro-homosexuality president in American history, Wooden says that demonstrates that Obama “is not a Christian,” despite his public profession. In an interesting section toward the end of the interview, Wooden explains why African Americans are perhaps more opposed to homosexual perversion than whites. He also recalls how Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. thought of homosexual attraction not as an innocuous, “innate tendency,” but a culturally-acquired, unnatural problem that can and should be resolved.
HOW TO LISTEN: This is an mp3 file, supported in most operating systems by Windows Media Player, Quick Time and/or I-Tunes. Real Player is not supported and there may be difficulty when attempting to listen with it. Left click once on the link below to play. (Please be patient, depending upon the speed of your internet connection it may take a moment or two to load.) OR right click the link then “save target as” to download the whole show.
2-11-12, Patrick Wooden, Part Five
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Listen to AFTAH's SPLC Press Conference
GO TO AFTAH ONLINE: http://americansfortruth.com/2012/01/23/splc-press-conference-audio-montgomery-al-january-17-2012/
HOW TO LISTEN: This link is to an audio recording of AFTAH's Jan. 17, 2012 press conference outside the headquarters of the Southern Poverty Law Center, in Montgomery, AL. This is an mp3 file, supported in most operating systems by Windows Media Player, Quick Time and/or I-Tunes. Real Player is not supported and there may be difficulty when attempting to listen with it. Left click once on the link below to play. (Please be patient, depending upon the speed of your internet connection it may take a moment to load.) OR right click the link then “save target as” to download the entire segment.
SPLC Press Conf Audio, 1-17-12
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Montgomery County superintendent Starr accused of sexual orientation discrimination
Maryland Community News
Published: Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Montgomery superintendent accused of sexual orientation discrimination by Jen Bondeson
Staff Writer
An advocacy group says Montgomery County schools superintendent Joshua P. Starr violated the school board’s nondiscrimination policy with comments he made in February.
Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays & Gays posted a complaint against Starr on its website Thursday and submitted it to the Montgomery County Board of Education, alleging that Starr “exhibit[ed] verbal abuse, disrespectful behavior, demonstrated prejudice, slurs, illegal discrimination, and hate against PFOX and the ex-gay sexual orientation, all of which are forbidden by the Nondiscrimination Policy ACB.”
The school board is reviewing the complaint, according to schools spokesman Dana Tofig.
The organization’s complaint points to Starr’s remarks during a Feb. 7 town hall meeting at Wootton High School.
On Feb. 1, PFOX distributed a flier in some high schools that stated that there is no “gay gene” and that sexual orientation is based on “feelings and is a matter of self-affirmation and public declaration.” The fliers caused concerns from some in the school community.
During the town hall meeting, Starr said he found the fliers to be “reprehensible and deplorable.”
He explained that nonprofits are allowed to send fliers through the school system’s current policy, which allows any organization to have fliers distributed at schools four times in the school year.
“We are bound to do it,” he said. “And this group has figured out a way to use that law to spread what I find to be a really disgusting message, quite frankly ... we are also looking at ways we may be able to communicate a much more important message, that no matter what their background is, no matter what their orientation is, no matter what they don’t like, whatever it may be whoever they are they have a place in our schools and deserve to be safe.”
Those comments about PFOX were discriminatory, the organization states, as the school board’s policy is to “provide an atmosphere where differences are understood and appreciated, and where all persons are treated fairly and with respect in an environment free of discrimination and threats of violence or abuse” along with “acts of hate/violence” including sexual orientation.
Tofig said that Starr did not want to respond to the complaint at this time.
He said that Starr made it clear he disagrees with what the flier said and the organization’s point of view, but that they had the right to distribute the fliers.
Due to public response after the PFOX fliers were distributed, the school board is amending its policy on nonprofit fliers.
If the school board finalizes its recommended amendment, the fliers would no longer be allowed to be distributed to students in middle and high schools; fliers would still be allowed to be distributed in elementary schools and allowed to be set out in common areas in all schools.
The public can send comments on the school board’s proposed policy changes until May 30 at boe@mcpsmd.org.
"Gender Wholeness Conference." Watch video to learn more.
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Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Tell Target to Donate to Ex-Gay Family Groups like PFOX
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Action Link |
American Family Association | P O Drawer 2440 | Tupelo, MS 38803 | 1-662-844-5036 |
Sunday, May 20, 2012
Joshua Starr Urged to Stop His Hate Against Sexual Orientation
http://mobile.wnd.com/2012/05/were-here-were-un-queer-get-used-to-it/
WND EXCLUSIVE
We're here! We're un-queer! Get used to it!
Demand: School's 'prejudice, slurs, hate' aimed at ex-homosexuals must end
Published: 13 hours ago
by Dave Tombers
A complaint filed with the Montgomery County, Md., Board of Education by an advocacy group offering support for those leaving homosexuality says Supt. Joseph Starr “spewed hateful comments against former homosexuals” and needs diversity training.
Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays officials told WND that Starr’s public comments to students in February, which described PFOX fliers as “reprehensible and detestable” after they were distributed in Montgomery County schools, are responsible for creating “an unsafe school environment.”
“In what could have been a positive teaching moment to demonstrate respect and appreciation of differences, fair treatment for all persons, and a safe school environment free of discrimination and abuse, Starr instead chose to exhibit verbal abuse, disrespectful behavior, demonstrated prejudice, slurs, illegal discrimination, and hate against PFOX and the ex-gay sexual orientation, all of which are forbidden by the Nondiscrimination Policy ACB,” the complaint explains.
The brochures, which encourage tolerance for former homosexuals and discourage name-calling, were distributed under the schools “flier distribution program for non-profits.”
WND reported in February on Starr’s comments, when he called PFOX brochures “really, really disgusting,” and on PFOX’s outrage that the leader of the school system has essentially “violated the school board nondiscrimination policy.”
“We call on the Montgomery County Board of Education to enforce its nondiscrimination policy and censure Starr immediately,” Regina Griggs, executive director of PFOX, told WND at the time.
“The policy mandates that schools provide ‘an atmosphere where differences are understood and appreciated, and where all persons are treated fairly and with respect in an environment free of discrimination and … abuse.’ Clearly Supt. Starr has violated the board’s policy,” she said.
District officials confirmed to WND they had received the complaint and would review it.
In a statement sent to WND, PFOX said, “Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays & Gays (PFOX) has filed a sexual orientation discrimination complaint with the Montgomery County (Maryland) Board of Education against its School Superintendent Joshua Starr.”
The group said Starr “publicly denigrated” both PFOX and former homosexuals when he labeled the message contained in the PFOX flyers as “really, really disgusting.”
The message, according to PFOX, encouraged diversity, not name-calling.
“PFOX’s fliers provided information on unwanted same-sex attractions, discouraged student name-calling and labeling, and urged tolerance for former homosexuals,” Griggs told WND.
“Starr does not respect diversity and is creating an unsafe school environment,” she said.
See the superintendent in action:
PFOX alleges that until the superintendent himself receives training on the Board of Education’s policies, the schools will be free to discriminate against ex-”gays.”
“As school superintendent, Starr’s actions make it impossible for Montgomery County public schools to provide an atmosphere where differences are understood and appreciated, or where everyone is treated fairly and with respect free of discrimination and abuse, as mandated by its Nondiscrimination Policy ACB,” said Griggs.
Griggs is asking the school board for three things:
- Allow PFOX to teach an ex-”gay” tolerance training session to Supt. Starr and his staff;
- Have ex-”gay” tolerance and anti-bullying brochures provided by PFOX be made freely available to students and staff in each high school’s counseling office; and
- Allow ex-”gay” books donated by PFOX to be placed in each high school library to ensure diversity and inclusion as mandated by the Nondiscrimination Policy.
“The school superintendent is a vital role model. When the school superintendent promotes intolerance of former homosexuals and organizations that support them, students and teachers will follow his example and learn to also disrespect sexual minorities like the ex-gay community,” said Griggs.
“Superintendent Starr cannot be allowed to use his official position to display hate against any group of people because he disagrees with their sexual orientation,” she continued.
At a February school board meeting, former lesbian Grace Harley testified in front of the board just how hurtful the superintendent’s comments were to her.
“I am sad that Supt. Joshua Starr has called me and other ex-gays names like ‘deplorable’ and ‘disgusting,’” Harley testified. “What saddens me more is that you, the Board of Education, have not reprimanded Supt. Starr.
“If he had said the same things about gays, you would have fired him by now. But because he hates people like me, you support him,” she continued. “I have suffered more discrimination and intolerance as an ex-gay than I ever did when I was gay. Please stop hating us. Follow your own non-discrimination policy.”
She said, “You and the superintendent are role models for children in the Montgomery County Public Schools. If you stop hating former homosexuals, our students will not learn to hate either.”
WND also previously reported that PFOX officials met with Kevin Jennings, former assistant deputy director of the U.S. Department of Education, just a year ago.
Jennings “affirmed the right of ex-gay organizations to have equal access in the nation’s public schools and agreed that former homosexuals should not be discriminated against during outreach efforts for students with unwanted same-sex attractions.”
PFOX also reported it met with Joseph Wheeler, attorney for the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights. He agreed with a 2009 court ruling that ex-”gays” are a legally protected class.
PFOX had brought the lawsuit to ensure equality for the ex-”gay” community.
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Sexual Orientation Discrimination Against Ex-Gays
Complaint
Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays & Gays (PFOX) files this MCPS Form 270-8 complaint with the Montgomery County, Maryland Board of Education against its School Superintendent Joshua Starr and charges him with discrimination in violation of Montgomery County Public School (MCPS) Nondiscrimination Policy ACB, including sexual orientation discrimination.
On February 1, 2012, PFOX flyers were distributed to some MCPS students. PFOX’s flyers provided information concerning unwanted same-sex attractions, discouraged name calling and labeling, and urged tolerance for former homosexuals. In response to the flyers and in front of a group of students, Superintendent Starr publicly denigrated PFOX and former homosexuals by calling the actions of PFOX “reprehensible and deplorable” and labeling the flyer’s sexual orientation content as “a really, really disgusting message.” See video of Starr teaching intolerance and hate to students at http://youtu.be/KQurGgAtc48
Clearly Superintendent Joshua Starr has violated the mandates of the Board’s Nondiscrimination Policy ACB. In what could have been a positive teaching moment to demonstrate respect and appreciation of differences, fair treatment for all persons, and a safe school environment free of discrimination and abuse, Starr instead chose to exhibit verbal abuse, disrespectful behavior, demonstrated prejudice, slurs, illegal discrimination, and hate against PFOX and the ex-gay sexual orientation, all of which are forbidden by the Nondiscrimination Policy ACB.
Section C of the MCPS Board of Education’s Nondiscrimination Policy ACB states that Montgomery County public schools are to provide an “atmosphere where differences are understood and appreciated, and where all persons are treated fairly and with respect in an environment free of discrimination and … abuse.”
The Nondiscrimination Policy ACB also prohibits “acts of hate,” including “verbal abuse and slurs.”
The Nondiscrimination Policy ACB further mandates that schools are to be free of incidents involving “disrespectful behavior, prejudicial action, hate” and illegal discrimination, in particular those based on sexual orientation.
Starr’s actions demonstrate that he does not respect diversity and is creating an unsafe school environment. As School Superintendent, Joshua Starr’s actions make it impossible for Montgomery County public schools to provide an atmosphere where differences are understood and appreciated, or where everyone is treated fairly and with respect free of discrimination and abuse, as mandated by the MCPS Nondiscrimination Policy ACB.
The School Superintendent is a vital role model for all of our students, staff, and teachers. When the School Superintendent promotes intolerance of former homosexuals and organizations that support them, students and teachers will follow his example and learn to also disrespect sexual minorities like the ex-gay community. Superintendent Starr cannot be allowed to use his official position to display hate against any group of people because he disagrees with their sexual orientation. Starr’s salary is paid by all county taxpayers and they should not be forced to subsidize intolerance. Therefore it is essential that the Board of Education grant the remedy requested below.
Remedy Requested
The Board’s Nondiscrimination Policy mandates staff training to ensure its implementation (Section E3). Starr’s flagrant violation of the Nondiscrimination Policy demonstrates that he is a prime candidate to receive ex-gay tolerance training and diversity education. In accordance with the Nondiscrimination Policy, PFOX therefore requests as a remedy that:
1. PFOX teach an ex-gay tolerance training session to School Superintendent Starr and his staff;
2. Ex-gay tolerance and anti-bullying brochures provided by PFOX be made freely available to students and staff in each high school’s counseling office; and
3. Ex-gay books donated by PFOX be placed in each high school library to ensure diversity and inclusion as mandated by the Nondiscrimination Policy.
Background Information
Last year PFOX met with Kevin Jennings, former Assistant Deputy Director of the U.S. Department of Education. Jennings affirmed the right of ex-gay organizations to have equal access in the nation’s public schools and agreed that former homosexuals should not be discriminated against during outreach efforts for students with unwanted same-sex attractions.
The National Educators Association (NEA) Ex-Gay Educators Caucus and the American College of Pediatricians also support ex-gay equal access to schools.
PFOX has also met with Joseph Wheeler, Attorney for the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights. Wheeler agreed with the District of Columbia’s Superior Court (2009) ruling that ex-gays are a legally protected class. PFOX had brought this lawsuit to ensure equality for the ex-gay community.
According to Public Schools and Sexual Orientation Consensus Guidelines developed by the First Amendment Center, school officials are urged to include the viewpoints of all participants, including ex-gays and their supporters, in order to develop policies that promote fairness for all. Actions by educators to exclude some views merely because they disagree with them constitute viewpoint discrimination in violation of the First Amendment. Therefore, the ex-gay viewpoint in public schools is protected by the First Amendment and should be heard. These guidelines were endorsed by the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN), American Association of School Administrators, and the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.
PFOX also attended the Federal Partners in Bullying Summit held by the Department of Education. As only 175 attendees around the country were invited, PFOX was among the leaders in the field of bullying prevention invited to convene with the federal government and other national leaders to help stop bullying.
PFOX has exhibited at the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) national convention and the Connecticut Conference on Multicultural Education, among others.
Ironically, Peter Sprigg of PFOX received a letter of commendation from Superintendent Starr for serving six years on the Board of Education’s Family Life and Human Development Committee.
We ask the School Board to read a newspaper editorial written by a student at Walter Johnson High School who received PFOX’s ex-gay flyer. See editorial at http://pfox-exgays.blogspot.com/2012/02/students-more-tolerant-than-mcps.html She writes, “We cannot call ourselves tolerant while sealing off our schools from groups that we disagree with…we cannot make the right decisions unless we hear all sides of the story.” Let’s learn from our students.
Submitted by:
Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays & Gays
PFOX
~ Supporting Equal Rights for the Ex-Gay Community ~
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