From the local NBC affiliate--
SILVER SPRING, Md. -- A flier from a group called Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays and Gays, or PFOX, has started a controversy in Silver Spring.The flier was handed out during homeroom to students at Montgomery Blair High School . . . Gay students at the high school said the group behind it is homophobic.
The school said it had no choice but to pass it out. PFOX says it reaches out to gay teens offering unconditional love and support to homosexuals who want to become straight. Promoting a way out of a gay lifestyle, the nonprofit group offers to expose teenagers to "ex-gay" people.
"What we're saying is that, if you have unwanted same-sex attraction -- and there is a difference -- then there are alternatives, and homosexual feelings can be overcome," said Regina Griggs of PFOX.
The one-page handout taken home by hundreds and thrown out by others created a firestorm on campus.
Administrators, faculty and students quickly blasted the group as an anti-gay, homophobic organization.PFOX claims it is a resource for students.
As a formerly gay-identified individual, I am familiar with the one-sided viewpoint of sexuality that's prevalent in the public school system. In high school, I was encouraged to embrace homosexuality not only by my peers, but also by members of the faculty who promoted that belief through their classroom teachings, and even in personal conversations with me.
In the beginning of my struggle, I didn't want to be gay; I wanted my life to be in harmony with my faith, and I wanted to accept myself as another one of the guys. Unfortunately, I never heard anything about the thousands of people who are living free of their once life-dominating same-sex attractions. I know my teens and early twenties would have been vastly different if I had just heard the truth a little sooner.
While those like the staff and faculty of this particular school, who believe change isn't possible, are entitled to have and express their opinions, they should not be entitled to silence those of others. Claiming to be against discrimination, they willfully seek to discriminate against any viewpoint that doesn't agree with their own. They negate not only faith, but the lives and stories of those of us who have experienced change. Worse yet, they seek exclusive rights to propogate their views on sexuality to a captive audience of young people.
I commend PFOX for speaking the truth despite the names and accusations hurled at them. I pray that their work--and ours--will continue to be protected, and will cause the message of freedom to reach the minds and hearts of struggling people sooner, to spare them the grief of a lifestyle that doesn't offer what they're looking for.