Free Republic

Non-profit groups to pay for advertising in Washington DC Metro A non-profit organisation that advocates making gay people straight has been told to pay if it wants to advertise on Metro stations in Washington DC.Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays and Gays are among a group of non-profit groups that have been told they may no longer get free advertising space.The Metro's Operations Committee wants to eliminate free public service announcements by non-governmental agencies and force organisations requesting extra service to pay a deposit up front.The changes follow a financial dispute with the National Football League.Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays...

(CNSNews.com) - A coalition representing former homosexuals is developing a legal strategy to litigate on behalf of people who challenge the proposition that individuals are "born gay." The group also is seeking to promote the idea, particularly among schoolchildren, that people can overcome unwanted homosexual attractions. Arthur Goldberg, president of Positive Alternatives to Homosexuality and co-director of Jews Offering New Alternatives to Homosexuality, said the coalition intends to stress the concept of diversity, a concept he said homosexual advocacy groups have misrepresented to promote the concept that people can't change. "We want to make sure that people understand the diversity,...

GAY ACTIVISTS DEFEND ANTI-GAY SUPREME COURT CASE: [From] Gay and Lesbian Activists Alliance of Washington, DCPO Box 75265Washington, DC 20013202-667-5139www.glaa.orgequal@glaa.org August 12, 2003 [To] Kenneth SaundersActing DirectorOffice of Human Rights441 4th Street, NWWashington, DC 20001 Dear: Mr. Saunders: We have learned through news reports that Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays and Gays (PFOX) has filed a complaint with the Office of Human Rights alleging discrimination by the National Education Association (NEA). According to the reports PFOX has been denied the opportunity to set up booths at NEA's last two annual conventions. Gay and Lesbian Activists Alliance of Washington, DC (GLAA)...

Robert Chase, who presided over unprecedented homosexual activism at the National Education Association (NEA) during his two terms as NEA president, is being considered for the presidency of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation’s largest homosexual pressure group, according to the Washington Blade, a homosexual newspaper. Interest in Chase as a possible “gay” leader was revealed only after he relinquished his second term as the leader of the 2.6-million member teachers union, the most powerful lobbying force in education. In August 2002, Chicago teacher Reginald Weaver became NEA president. The Washington Blade reported in its August 8 edition about...

Teachers' union rebuffs efforts to change the message given to the nation's students about homosexuality. A rigid homosexual bias within the leadership of the National Education Association (NEA) is clearly evident as the huge teachers' union resists any move to provide information that same-sex attraction can be changed. Sissy Jochmann, a spokeswoman for the Conservative Educators Caucus, asked this year's NEA delegates to consider helping kids who experience same-sex attraction but don't like those feelings. She spoke to the full convention."When I read my speech, you could not believe the thunderous roar of people not even wanting to consider it,"...

(CNSNews.com) - A group representing people who have renounced homosexuality has filed a complaint with the District of Columbia Office of Human Rights for alleged discrimination by the National Education Association. The Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays and Gays, or PFOX, said the NEA discriminated against the group at the association's annual conventions when it refused to allow PFOX to set up booths in the exhibit halls. "They most definitely are discriminating," said Regina Griggs, executive director of PFOX. "They will not allow another voice. They literally have silenced ex-gay schoolteachers and members of their own unions, as well as...

A conservative educator from Pennsylvania received a chilly response while addressing delegates to the National Education Association's annual convention held in New Orleans earlier this month. Sissy Jochmann, a second grade teacher from Pennsylvania and chair of the Conservative Educators Caucus, delivered a two-minute speech in which she urged the NEA to support students in their right to choose not to engage in homosexual behavior. But Jochmann says delegates booed and shouted angrily at her while she spoke. Jochmann's speech called on the NEA to provide "a full range of information and support resources available on homosexuality" and to be...

Sen. Rick Santorum said he wants his kids to do "the right thing" and avoid homosexual acts - but he'd still love them if they were gay. The Senate's No. 3 Republican, whose remarks about gays have led to calls for his ouster from the leadership, was asked by GQ magazine what he'd do if one of his six children came to him and admitted homosexual urges. "You try to point out to them what is the right thing to do," the Pennsylvania Republican said, including not giving in to temptations. "Whether we have that disposition because of environmental factors,...

The Point Foundation Names Tim Wilmot Executive Director; Foundation Offers Hope and Financial Help to Marginalized Gay, Lesbian Students 7/8/03 7:29:00 PM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To: Metro Desk Contact: Carl Strickland of The Point Foundation, 775-588-8383 or 775-220-1101, carl@thepointfoundation.org SAN FRANCISCO, July 8 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The Point Foundation has appointed Dr. Timothy (Tim) B. Wilmot as its first executive director. Founded in March 2001, The Point Foundation provides financial support, mentoring and hope to meritorious students marginalized because of sexual orientation or gender identity. In its first year (the 2002-03 academic year), The Point Foundation awarded over $115,000 to a...

Their True SelvesKade Collins, 18, was a girl who felt like a boy. Samantha Lease, 19, was a boy who felt like a girl. Then each came out as transgender and felt much better as told to Stephanie Booth Kade's story:Growing up in Tucson, I was way more masculine than other girls. As early as four, I wanted my hair cut short like a boy's. When I was five, my mom made me wear a dress on Christmas, and I cried so much that she promised I'd never have to wear another. By age six, I'd only wear boys' clothes....

<p>Students who call each other names or joke about someone's sexuality face suspension under a regulation passed this week by the Maryland State Board of Education.</p> <p>The board voted 8-3 Tuesday to include language in its student-safety standards that specifically protects homosexual students from harassment in school settings. However, school officials would not specify yesterday what would constitute verbal harassment.</p>

(CNSNews.com) - If government agencies get into the practice of sponsoring "Gay Pride Month" events, they should provide equal access to other "sexual orientations," including former homosexuals, critics of "gay pride" events said Monday. Better still, government employees should be recognized solely for their job performance, not their "sexual orientation," said Regina Griggs, executive director of Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays and Gays (PFOX). "Let's recognize them for the job they do, not who they're sexually attracted to. I think that's demeaning, and that's then a real hot button because you can't have it both ways. "We don't put your...

Out at the Prom More gay teens than ever are taking same-sex dates to prom. And instead of sparking controversy, schools are saying, what’s the big deal? By Julie Scelfo NEWSWEEK WEB EXCLUSIVE June 9 — Allen Wolff readied himself for prom like millions of other teenage boys. On the afternoon of May 25, the 17-year-old from Syracuse, New York, showered and shaved, leaving intact a thin goatee, donned a rental tux and silver vest, then coated his normally spiky locks with a generous portion of hair gel. AFTER ESCORTING HIS date into the balloon-enhanced splendor of the Baker High...

Many in Congress never heard of people overcoming homosexuality About two dozen representatives of ex-homosexual groups under the auspices of Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays and Gays (PFOX) visited about 60 Congressional offices last Thursday and Friday for "Ex-Gay Lobby Days." Parents, families and friends joined eight former homosexuals to take the message of change and hope to sometimes surprised congressional staffers. The group included PFOX Executive Director Regina Griggs; Rev. D.L. Foster, a black pastor from Atlanta who directs 11 ex-gay ministries and is himself an ex-gay; former homosexual Greg Quinlan, president of Dayton, Ohio-based Pro-Family Network; ex-gay Richard...

After bouncing between nine residential programs, four foster families and an untold number of bigots, homelessness didn't seem like such a bad alternative to Eve Serrano. ``My life is no picnic,'' said Serrano, 20, a Latina lesbian honor student of the School of Hard Knocks who was received with empathetic applause from some 1,500 like-minded survivors at yesterday's ninth annual Gay/Straight Youth Pride rally in Copley Square. Serrano, who shed frilly frocks and flowing locks for crewcuts and cargo pants when she was 13, said she grew up in a New Jersey ghetto listening to her own family berate her...

First Annual Ex-Gay Lobby Days on Capitol Hill a Success NEWS RELEASE May 16, 2003 Contact: Regina Griggs at 703-360-2225 www.pfox.org pfox.exgays@starpower.net Members of the ex-gay community and their supporters from across the country came to Capitol Hill today and yesterday for Ex-Gay Lobby Days sponsored by Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays & Gays (PFOX). PFOX is a national organization that supports families affected by homosexuality, educates the public on sexual reorientation, and advocates for the ex-gay community. Ex-gays educated members of Congress on the adverse effect of sexual orientation legislation on former homosexuals. Of particular concern are laws regarding...

I learned the truth at 17 Our high school senior correspondent reaches a crossroads: If he takes another guy to the prom, is he doing it for himself, or just to fulfill an image of “gay teen” that’s taking over his life? By Paul Chandler An Advocate.com exclusive posted April 9, 2003 A few weeks ago I was contemplating taking out an ad that read, “Emergency! Need gay male prom date. Respond immediately.” Every time spring rolls in, prom fever hits. Who am I going to go with? Where do we go to eat? What about afterward? Do we really...

(CNSNews.com) - After pro-family leaders criticized Republican National Committee Chairman Marc Racicot for meeting with what they call "gay pressure" groups, Racicot has now agreed to a meeting with a group of people who used to be homosexual. "We thought it was bad politics and not the right thing to do to meet with a homosexual activist group," Peter LaBarbera, senior policy analyst for the Culture and Family Institute, a part of Concerned Women for America (CWA), told CNSNews.com.LaBarbera was referring to Racicot's early March meeting with the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), one of the nation's largest groups advocating special...

WASHINGTON, May 1 — Four parents of gay children had a fiery private exchange tonight with Senator Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania. The meeting did not go well, and Mr. Santorum, who has infuriated gays by likening homosexuality to incest and bigamy, left in a hurry, tripping over a chair, the parents said. "What we tried to do in this meeting was reach him on a human level, and we found no humanity there," said Melina Waldo, a former constituent of Mr. Santorum who lives in Haddonfield, N.J. She said he was "condescending, belligerent, argumentative and arrogant." A spokeswoman for Mr....

Four parents of gay children had a fiery private exchange tonight with Senator Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania. The meeting did not go well, and Mr. Santorum, who has infuriated gays by likening homosexuality to incest and bigamy, left in a hurry, tripping over a chair, the parents said.