Students More Tolerant Than MCPS Teachers

 

Posted at 08:52 AM ET, 03/29/2007

Letter to the Editor

 

Dear Editor,

Under the disclaimer that "These materials are neither sponsored nor endorsed by the Board of Education of Montgomery County, the superintendent, or this school," homeroom teachers across Montgomery County were given fliers from the Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays (PFOX) to distribute to students along with their second quarter report cards on Feb 1. These fliers have sparked a debate that can be heard from the halls of WJ, to the Washington area airways and news stands, all the way to PFOX headquarters in Belford, Va., and of course on Facebook.

PFOX Executive Director Regina Griggs said, "Since there is no equal access and no equal information about PFOX the goal [of the flier] was to send an informative message that told people about PFOX and allowed people to know the facts that change is possible for those who seek change and that is a choice for individuals. We certainly did not put in there that we sought change. It is merely to give [. . .] students the ability to go back to [their] teachers and get proof."

In an editorial published in the Mar. 2 issue of The Pitch, Jared Schneider and Eric Hoffman wrote that PFOX is "A group that advocates the 'curing' of homosexuals."

This statement is inaccurate. According to the PFOX website, the goal of the organization is to provide support for members of the ex-gay community and inform homosexuals that they can change their sexual orientation. According to Griggs, the organization is not out to have people change their sexual orientation.

In respect to the response she received from the MCPS community, Griggs said, "In wonderful Montgomery County where we thought that tolerance and diversity and respect was for all, we found that just the opposite is true. We have found nasty hateful statements. We are amazed that adults would speak out against ex-gays."

In Montgomery County, we preach tolerance for all, but how can we be tolerant if we judge groups that we know nothing about? We can not call ourselves tolerant while sealing off our school from groups that we disagree with. We have to come to the realization that if we want to allow groups like the AFL-CIO and the ACLU to pass out fliers, then we must lend equal access to groups that advocate positions that we do not agree with. We have to open our school doors to the community and let our school become a forum where students are able to express their opinions and be exposed to different positions on important issues so that they can come to their own conclusions. We have to remember that there is no right answer on social issues; it's just not that simple.

The truth is that PFOX is not a hate group. PFOX officials don't think that homosexuals who are happy with who they are should change. In fact, they are not involved in the process of changing people with unwanted homosexual feelings into what they call "ex-gays." All the organization does is provide support for people who had homosexual feelings, but don't anymore. They want to get out the message that it is possible to change, and whether or not everyone may agree with them, they have published scientific research to back up all of their statements.

Griggs said, "If you are happy being same sex attracted, why it is your position to discredit those who have unwanted same sex attraction and don't allow them their voice. Where's the tolerance in that?" According to Griggs, "The students want the information so that they can make their own decisions."

Ultimately, we can not make the right decisions unless we hear all sides of the story. The school board can not and should not pick and choose which organizations are politically correct enough to pass out fliers in schools. We need full disclosure so that we can understand peoples' unique perspectives and value them for just what they are, those peoples' opinions.

Sincerely,
Sophomore Amy Hemmati

 

 

We are under full-scale attack

friend We Are Under Full-Scale Attack

Dear Concerned Friend,    As you may have read or heard, we are under a heavy, sustained attack by the porn industry, by the group Anonymous, and by literally tens of thousands of pornography advocates. Let me explain:    Last Friday, on her airplane flight to speak at a conference in Houston, our executive director, Dawn Hawkins, witnessed the man in front of her viewing violent pornography on his iPad – he wasn't hiding it and it was of young girls and may have been child porn.    The Delta flight attendant refused to ask the man to refrain from looking at it. So Dawn told him to stop and then, when she left the plane, reported the man to Delta and to the airport police because, especially if it was child porn, it must be reported as a violation of federal law. Then she made a short YouTube video about the experience to call attention to the need for airlines to protect passengers from those, like this man, who view porn on planes.    Soon after the video was up, the porn industry, through their trade magazine, Adult Video News, attacked Dawn in an editorial, not the man looking at porn on the plane, for being uncomfortable at being forced to look at porn in a public place.    Then a foul-mouthed man posted a YouTube video harshly criticizing Dawn for the same, but this video was viewed by tens of thousands of porn supporters who made very threatening, sexually-oriented comments about Dawn.    This led to the international group "Anonymous" taking up the cause of attacking Dawn. They somehow got Dawn's personal cell phone number, as well as her parent's personal information, and posted it on their website urging people to harass her. Both Dawn and her family have been under sustained attack with threatening calls for the last 24 hours. (I had not realized that promotion of pornography was such an important issue with Anonymous – the group that has been hacking many corporate and government websites!)    I now fear for Dawn's safety.    Can you imagine the depths of depravity of the attackers? What did Dawn do but bravely stand up for what is right – when no one else would! Her attackers are outraged and are urging public support for the man and for the right to view pornography on airplanes.    Now our office is under attack as well. We had to take down our websites temporarily to prevent these people from doing what they said they would do – hack them. Many are also calling our office with harassing messages.    We have instituted security measures to protect Dawn and our staff. We are in contact with the FBI. That is all I can say on this so far.    When Dawn and our staff got involved in this fight, we all knew that we were up against many distorted people. We recognized that this would not be easy.    We want you to know that bullying tactics will not stop us from declaring the truth - that PORNOGRAPHY HARMS! Not only have millions of lives been harmed, but there is now a wealth of evidence - scientific proof - that pornography is wreaking havoc on our society. It seems that NO FAMILY is untouched.    We will not let the pornographers and their patrons to win this war. Please continue your support and help spread the word to other supporters.    We are grateful for the support of so many of you – YOU know what we are up against. In addition to the hateful messages and threats, we have received many messages of support and encouragement. A majority of Americans are on our side.    Please keep Dawn and our staff in your prayers.    Patrick A. Trueman  President & CEO Morality in Media   P.S. Here's the account of Dawn's encounter on the airplane. The public, tight, confined space of an airplane is NO PLACE for pornography, especially violent, pseudo-child pornography.

Contact us at grassroots@pornharms.com This effort is directed by Morality In Media, Inc.

Gazette on PFOX fliers

 

Published: Wednesday, February 22, 2012

http://www.gazette.net/article/20120222/OPINION/702229536/1014/schools-must-stop-discriminating-against-ex-gays&template=gazette

I am writing in response to your Feb. 15 article, "Controversial flier could prompt policy changes."

Contrary to comments made by Superintendent of Schools Joshua Starr that our ex-gay fliers are "deplorable," the only thing deplorable is Starr's bigotry against former homosexuals.

 

By spewing hate and intolerance against the ex-gay community, Starr has violated the Montgomery Board of Education's nondiscrimination policy, which forbids verbal abuse and disrespectful behavior on the basis of sexual orientation.

 

Our fliers provided information to students with unwanted same-sex attractions, discouraged name calling and labeling, and urged tolerance for all. We at Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays & Gays have been distributing fliers for the past five years. Gay groups also distribute fliers.

 

Starr's flagrant violation of the policy demonstrates that all diversity education must include ex-gays, which is the only sexual orientation discriminated against in Montgomery County public schools.

 

Instead of reviewing its flier policy, the Board of Education must review its nondiscrimination policy and remedy this blatant discrimination.

 

Regina Griggs, Reedville, Va.

The writer is executive director of PFOX.

Are Ex-Gays Really Disgusting to Superintendent Joshua Starr?

To vew this item online, visit http://www.wnd.com/2012/02/are-ex-gays-really-really-disgusting /

WND EXCLUSIVE

Are ex-gays 'really, really disgusting'?

Supt. blasts group determined legally protected class in 2009 ruling

Published: 02/14/2012 at 9:36 PM

by Bob Unruh Email | Archive

 

A spokesman for the school board in Montgomery County, Md., says the slurs against a minority group by the superintendent are not an “issue.”

That’s after Supt. Joshua Starr told students that a flyer sent home by an advocacy organization supporting those who have chosen to leave the homosexual lifestyle contained information that was “really, really disgusting.”

Officials with Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays and Gays had utilized the school district’s services to outside groups that allow them to distribute flyers to students on occasion.

Students at a public forum then had asked Starr about the flyers, which provided information to students with unwanted same-sex attractions, discouraged name-calling and labeling, and urged tolerance for former homosexuals.

Starr’s response was that the flyers are “reprehensible and deplorable,” according to a report in the Washington Post. The Washington Examiner quoted Starr blasting PFOX.

“We can’t really do much about it unless we wanted to cut off all flyer distribution, which is an option,” he said. “This group has figured out how to use that law to spread what I find to be a really, really disgusting message, frankly.”

PFOX officials suggested that the board of education should reprimand Starr for violating the district’s nondiscrimination policy.

“We call on the Montgomery County Board of Education to enforce its nondiscrimination policy and censure Starr immediately,” said Regina Griggs, executive director of PFOX. “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 Superintendent Starr has violated the board’s policy.”

She continued, “Starr’s verbal abuse, disrespectful behavior, and slurs against the ex-gay community amount to hate and illegal sexual orientation discrimination, which are all forbidden by the policy.”

A spokesman in Starr’s office, Dana Tofig, said Starr’s position is that he “disagrees” with the statements made in the flyers but they are distributed because of a federal court ruling that the school could not discriminate based on content.

Tofig declined to say whether there are other subject matters that earn the scorn and vilification from Starr as the PFOX brochures.

A spokesman at the district board office, Roland Ikheloa, told WND that, “There is no such issue (a request for an apology) on the table.”

The board includes Shirley Brandman, Christopher Barclay, Philip Kauffman, Judith Docca, Laura Berthiaume, Patricia O’Neill, Michael Durso and Alan Xie.

“Starr does not respect diversity and is creating an unsafe school environment,” warned Griggs.

She noted the district nondiscrimination policy also requires training for students and staff to ensure its implementation.

“Starr’s flagrant violation of the policy demonstrates that all tolerance training and diversity education must include ex-gays, which is the only sexual orientation discriminated against in Montgomery County Public Schools. Its ‘Respect for Differences in Human Sexuality’ lessons promote tolerance of gays, bisexuals, transgenders, cross-dressers and the intersexed, yet fail to include ex-gays, which explains the appalling lack of respect for former homosexuals. The board must act immediately to remedy this blatant discrimination and include ex-gays,” Griggs said.

PFOX reported that it was just a year ago when officials met with Kevin Jennings, former assistant deputy director of the U.S. Department of Education, and he “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 this lawsuit to ensure equality for the ex-”gay” community.

 

Fomer VP Dick Cheney Lobbying for Genderless Marriage in Maryland

http://talk.baltimoresun.com/showthread.php?p=7946230#post7946230

Quirky Tom Quirk

Problems Lurk in Quirk’s Bill

An op-ed by Ruth Jacobs, M.D.

What is it about Baltimore County councilmember Tom Quirk?  He sponsors a “gender identity” bill to legalize transvestite behavior with the result that cross-dressing men will be able to enter the ladies’ room.  Then he fails to understand how this could be a problem.   

Naturally upset that they will be forced to share their bathrooms with men, a long line of women testified before Quirk and asked him to consider their privacy and safety concerns.  Rape victims complained that his bill opens the door to peeping toms and cross-dressing men still sexually attracted to women.  Yet Quirk ignored legitimate female concerns and self-righteously asked  -- “What would Jesus do?”

Yes, what would Jesus do about people like Thomas Lee Benson, a cross-dressing sex offender  re-arrested for invading a female locker room?  Benson explains why he can't stop dressing like a woman:  "In order to achieve that goal of having you think I am female, I have to do things that victimize other people… Yes, I have done things in the past that are bad, but I would also remind people I do not go around having sex with young girls anymore…”

Would Jesus make it easier for Benson to enter the women’s locker rooms -- again?  That seems to be what Quirk believes. 

When told that his bill discriminates against women by taking away privacy rights, Quirk tells us that “women cannot be discriminated against” because females are the “majority.”

Then why did it take until 1920 for women to have the right to vote, Mr. Quirk?  Why aren’t we “majority” females able to use public bathrooms without worrying about men with lipstick and high heels barging in on us and our small children?   Is it because we do not have the political power that transgenders and their gay lobby have?   After all, we are just wives, daughters, mothers, and grandmothers, and not lobbyists with funding and a staff.

Gender identity laws dismiss women’s realistic concerns and enforce acceptance of a mental illness over reality.  When women are not respected by society, they are more likely to lose rights.  Women recognize each other.  We have messy periods, change diapers, adjust our bra straps, buy tampons, apply makeup, yak with other women, and breastfeed – all in the ladies’ room.  We are vulnerable to crazy voyeurs, pedophile predators, and rapists.  Our privacy and protection is sacrosanct to us and therefore should be to society as well.  Yet Quirk seems surprised that women do not want any law that would open our protected areas, our bathrooms and locker rooms, to males. 

Quirk also claims he doesn’t want discrimination against transgenders.  Then he wouldn't want discrimination against anyone based on sexual orientation, right?  Yet members of the ex-gay community have repeatedly asked Quirk to include former homosexuals in his bill, but he ignores them.  If Quirk wants to protect people who changed their gender, why doesn't he also protect people who have changed their sexual orientation?  It seems he is providing protection only to his favored groups.

Tom Quirk, do the right thing and kill your gender identity bill -- it discriminates against women.

Ruth Jacobs is the President of Maryland Citizens for a Responsible Government.

www.NotMyShower.com

CRGmaryland@yahoo.com

 

 

We Move Forward!

 

We Move Forward On Friday the House of Delegates voted to redefine Marriage by a narrow vote of 72-67 (some abstained from voting). Due to your tireless efforts this bill did not "Sail" through the House of Delegates as some speculated. The time and efforts spent working to voice your concerns with the delegates was essential!   You spoke LOUDLY! Together we wrote over 10,000 emails and letters, hand-delivered nearly over 7,000 postcards, made thousands of telephone calls, testified at two hearings, and conducted hundreds of personal meetings with elected officials. You should be proud of the efforts you put in to speak loudly to our representatives. Clearly this made a difference because this bill would have died in the judiciary committee if the fair and normal process would have been used. The final vote count in the joint (Judiciary& HGO) committee clearly indicated that the Judiciary committee did not have the votes to bring it out of committee and onto the floor of the House. The Governor and House leadership decided to thwart the true process and place the bill in a joint committee, which has not been done in over forty years. Nonetheless, this was only a one stage in the battle to uphold Marriage in Maryland!   We must now look at the Senate and the next stages of contending for "Marriage". This coming week we need you to urge your Senators to vote NO on SB 241. This will be moved quickly out of committee and onto the floor for a vote.  The Governor, special interest groups and others do not want us to persuade the Senators to "Do the Right Thing" and represent their constituents on this issue. Please take another few minutes to send an email and make a call to your Senators and let then know to support Marriage and Vote NO on SB 241. Click here to take action now!   The coalition effort that has mounted to date is a clear representation that citizens of Maryland, not outsiders, are concerned about Marriage and ready to uphold it in Maryland. We are committed to taking this process to the fullest extent in Maryland which means to a vote of the People via referendum if necessary.   I cannot thank you enough for all that you have done to help us stand up in defense of marriage. Let's keep contending for the long standing, valuable, special institution called Marriage! We will WIN in Maryland!   Sincerely,     Derek McCoy Director    The Maryland Marriage Alliance is a grassroots, non-partisan, interfaith coalition dedicated to preserving the traditional definition of marriage in Maryland law.   Paid for by Maryland Marriage Alliance

 

T

The intolerance of Montgomery County (Maryland) Superintendent Joshua Starr

http://pfox.org/FNIF-02-13-12-two-minute.mp3 

Continuing Testimony in Baltimore County, Maryland

I am Grace Harley, speaking for Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays & Gays, known as PFOX. Your bill defines ‘sexual orientation’ as the “identification of homosexuality, heterosexuality, or bisexuality.” Mr. Quirk and Councilmembers, you are sponsoring this bill to protect people who change their gender, but you fail to protect people who change their sexual orientation.  

 

Please add two words, “former homosexuality,” to the bill’s definition to ensure protection from sexual orientation discrimination for everyone. Otherwise, the bill is not about protecting people from discrimination but about giving preferred treatment to a special interest group, which is not what our country and county are about.

 

Ex-gays are discriminated against in Baltimore County by being denied equal access.  PFOX asked Towson University to include ex-gay brochures in their sexual orientation center.  Towson University refused, although they accept homosexual, bisexual, and transgender materials. 

 

It is this kind of discrimination against the ex-gay community that we are asking you to eliminate with an amendment to add “former homosexuality.”

Former homosexuals are the only sexual orientation group discriminated against at Towson University, which questions why individuals would change their sexual orientation but does not question why someone would change their gender. 

 

Ex-gays and their supporters should not have to be closeted for fear of other’s negative reactions or disapproval.  Nor do they believe others should condemn them for the personal decision they have made for their lives.  Full diversity must include former homosexuals. 

 

Unless the bill is amended to include former homosexuality, please vote against it because the bill is discriminatory and does not serve the purpose its sponsors claim.

 

Thank you and I am giving you a copy of Towson University’s rejection along with my speech.