DC judge grants “ex-gay” group legally protected status in case against National Education Association, but denies discrimination complaint
”The Court affirms OHR’s ultimate determination that PFOX’s application was denied legally. In NEA’s judgment, PFOX is a conversion group hostile toward gays and lesbians…. Indeed, the HRA would not require NEA to accept an application from the Ku Klux Klan or a group viewed by the NEA as anti-labor union or racist…. Thus, PFOX’s arguments miss the point. The NEA did not reject its application because PFOX’s members include exgays, homosexuals, heterosexuals, or members of any other sexual orientation. Rather, NEA rejected PFOX’s application because PFOX’s message and policies were, in NEA’s opinion, contrary to NEA’s policies regarding sexual orientation.”
Portion of a decision handed down by DC Superior Court Judge Maurice Ross in the case of a complaint by the anti-gay organization, Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays, which was denied a spot at the National Education Associations Expo 2002. In part of the ruling, the judge is said to have determined that the Office of Human Rights was incorrect in determining that the NEA did not have to grant PFOX a spot because so-called “ex-gays” are not a protected class under the DC Human Rights Act. Judge Ross says they are because the premise of the HRA is ”to end all discrimination based on anything other than individual merit.” However, he contrasted that with the larger fact that the NEA had the right to determine that PFOX is a group with a mission that is focused on an anti-gay agenda, and therefore could be excluded along with other nefarious organizations. (Washington City Paper)
”If they’re no longer gay, what are they? Under which category are they a protected class? It’s a bizarre ruling.”
Peter Rosenstein in reaction to a minor court victory for PFOX, a DC-area anti-gay group that presents itself as the way for homosexual individuals to find some path away from the gay community and their natural same-sex desires through a religiously-based belief system. The X in their name is supposed to signify that their small, but persistent, band of believers are to be labeled “ex-gays.” (Washington Examiner)
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