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from Gay Activism in the Schools
"Ex-Homophobia": The National Education Association's Intolerance of
Ex-Gays Continues
By Dr. Warren Throckmorton
As life-long public school educator and administrator, my
father, Earl Throckmorton, stood for values that have long
been a foundation for American education. He would be out of
step with today's NEA and its ex-homophobia.
Academic freedom and equality of persons and ideas meant
much to my father. He backed up his beliefs in action even
when it could have been professionally damaging. For
instance, when he was told in the mid-1960s as a principal
at a predominantly African-American elementary school in
Portsmouth, Ohio, that there were two sets of rules, one for
whites and one for blacks, he replied, "Not while I'm
here!" He then proceeded to make that school one of the few
color-blind schools in the area.
People were people to my dad and his personal views on
issues did not prevent him from giving all people equal
time to have their say.
The NEA could learn a valuable lesson about fairness from my
father the teacher. Witness the recent behavior of the
nation's largest association of school personnel, the NEA.
At its recent convention in New Orleans, the NEA had the
usual exhibit hall with numerous vendors and political
causes represented. This is a highlight for many convention
goers, gathering up free stuff to take home to the kids and
maybe even learning something about new products and ideas
in the process. These exhibit areas are supposed to be
available to all comers, provided they pay a fee for the
space. However, one organization was not allowed to take
part in this thoroughfare of products and ideas.
What group was deemed too subversive to expose to the
convention participants? Was it the Rush Limbaugh Youth
Corps? No, it was the Parents and Friends of Ex-gays and
Gays (PFOX).
PFOX? PFOX is a grassroots organization that seeks to
support individuals, or "ex-gays," who once identified
themselves as gay or lesbian but now are living
heterosexually. The leaders of the organization, including
president Regina Griggs, asked for space at the 2002
convention to exhibit their information and services to
sexually questioning youth but were denied the opportunity.
Why?
Initially, the NEA told PFOX the exhibit space was
completely sold out. This was two months after the NEA's
exhibit vendor cashed the PFOX application check. Moreover,
other organizations were accepted after PFOX was denied.
Applying again for this year's convention in New Orleans,
PFOX leaders were simply told their application would not be
accepted. The NEA's press office did not respond to my phone
and email attempts to get their take on the issue.
Seeking fairness, PFOX filed a complaint with the District
of Columbia Office of Human Rights. The reasoning is simple:
if groups who work with students to affirm a gay identity
are allowed to exhibit, then a group (PFOX) who works with
those not wanting to affirm a gay identity should also be
allowed access.
The complaint will be heard later this month. The NEA may be
forced to reverse this exclusion but the leadership has
indeed demonstrated their position on the matter. Tolerance
is a pretty great idea as far as it goes. But apparently
there are two sets of rules, one for gay activists and one
for ex-gays.
With the NEA stonewalling attempts to present ex-gay
information, one wonders what the leadership fears from
ex-gays. What possible educational purpose is served by
suppressing information?
It's time for the NEA to work through its ex-homophobia.
Warren Throckmorton is Director of College Counseling and
an Associate Professor of Psychology at Grove City College.
His research "Initial Empirical and Clinical Findings
Concerning the Change Process for Ex-Gays," was published in
the June 2002 issue of the American Psychological
Association's publication Professional Psychology: Research
and Practice.
PFOX -- Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays & Gays
Box 561
Fort Belvoir VA 22060
703-360-2225
www.pfox.org
Updated: 8 February 2008
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