Corrected to reflect Jeralee Smith’s exgay identity.
Exgay activist Jeralee Smith formed the NEA Ex-Gay Educators Caucus in early 2004, ostensibly to educate teachers and administrators about exgays.
But just two years later, she is calling upon Christian teachers not to educate fellow NEA members, but rather to think about leaving the NEA because the NEA refuses to immediately sign on to a far-reaching antigay political agenda.
“People who share our values, which is traditional family and a few other things, can have no integrity unless they are either active on the inside to try and change things, or they leave the union and take their money out of the union’s hands,” says Smith.
Smith acknowledges that Christian members of the NEA are faced with a decision. “I just think it’s time for Christians to really pray about their relationship to the union and do some real soul-searching on their loyalty,” she says. And if they find their loyalty is still with the union, Smith suggests they ask themselves “just how much loyalty does the union deserve at this point?”
Smith says she is outraged the NEA is pushing for “gay,” lesbian, bisexual, and transgender issues to be required content for teacher credentialing.
Sooo… Smith believes that exgay issues should be required content — but not the sexual-orientation issues that would in fact be necessary in order for students or teachers to understand what the “ex” in “exgay” really stands for.
Here’s another thought: If Smith really cares about exgay issues, then by golly, why does she go off-topic and blast marriage, civil unions, and tolerance for people who aren’t exgay?
Also at the recent NEA convention, Ohio exgay activist Greg Quinlan got into an altercation with gay author/activist Wayne Besen, head of Truth Wins Out.
The American Family Association saw the dispute this way. Besen saw things this way.
(Big huge hat tip: Pam Spaulding)
Mike,
Jeralee is one of “the lives of five people who struggle with being attracted to those of the same sex” in Throckmorton’s “I do Exist”.
(The new “Producers Notes” down the bottom is, umm, interesting…)
Thanks — I’ll watch the “I Do Exist” DVD this weekend. It was a gift to Ex-Gay Watch from Chad Thompson.
Sorry me again — have been following this over at Throckmorton (who Quinlan spoke with before that AFA release).
Although previously presenting themselves as just “giving the other side”, I think we’ve all largely been concerned what exactly that really means. The AFA release quotes Quinlan with the very disturbing truth:
Right… saying “it’s OK to be exgay” (if you pray/prey hard enough) is one thing. Like, hm-mmm, sure it is dear. And so what?
But they actually want to present an “alternate” to something else. They want to introduce a deliberate “it’s NOT OK to be gay” message into the schools.
Fine. You’re banned. No child at this school will get abused, least of all by adult outsiders.
I think we can thank Greg Quinlan and the AFA for finally revealing their true intentions. Hope nobody at XGW dies from surprise and shock at that little slip.
Seems to be a little confusion here. Jeralee is ex-gay, has been for years, but she is not in the “I Do Exist” video.
Huh?
Oh, the other one. Could have said that in the post, you know.
But note, Warren, how quickly things get corrected here. Even when we have to do the work. Commendable, no?
That producer’s note was interesting. Warren, does that mean someone on the DVD is now ex-ex-gay?
warren, their is absolutely no proof that one can become ex-gay and you can’t site spitzers study because it wasn’t random, their was no follow-up was not a large enough sample. Why is it that the ex-gay movement never provides real proof of change like a brain scan of an ex-gay alongside a real hetero man and a gay man. That by the way would settle once and for all whether one can really become ex-gay. I wonder what you have to say. As it stands the burden of proof lies with you to provide evidence of change, the kind that could stand up in court.
Oh and this test must be done by a third party one that is neither pro-gay or anti-gay so to ensure that the results aren’t tainted by predjudice.
Question: “Here’s another thought: If Smith really cares about exgay issues, then by golly, why does she go off-topic and blast marriage, civil unions, and tolerance for people who aren’t exgay?”
Answer: Because she is paid to use the ex-gay trojan horse as an inroad to push for these other agenda items (fighting against any sort of legal recognition for a gay identity and gay relationships). REMEMBER, the aim of these kapos is to re-criminalize gay identity.
Also, is anyone else getting tired of the scare quotes around ‘gay?’ The ADF wont even say the word anymore. It’s as if the Fundie style guide has been published. It’s pathetic, and immediately advertises their hate-group status when they use the quotes.
I’m curious. What ever happened to Noe Gutierrez? A few years back he was featured on “Truth Comes Out” touted by NARTH as a member of the NEA Ex-Gay Educators Caucus. But that’s the last we’ve heard from him.
I hope he’s happy in whatever he’s doing but it would be interesting to see whether he is still pursuing an ex-gay lifestyle. 😉
Warren,
I’m surprised at the blurb on your site discussing the video. When I reread it today I notice “and features Gutierrez and Smith talking about their stories of change from gay to straight.”
That’s a very bold statement. “Straight” would mean that they are now heterosexual, ie. that they do not struggle with SSA. And it doesn’t sound like you to make such a claim.
Did someone else write this, or do you claim that Gutierrez and Smith are “straight”? Or are you using the term straight differently than would anyone else?
still pursuing an ex-gay lifestyle
LOL!
David Roberts