We have now been able to ascertain exactly what PFOX distributed to the high school students of Montgomery County, Maryland. A public school parent provided Teachthefacts.org with a copy of the PFOX flyer distributed at Quince Orchard High School.
The handout had very little information other than a list of websites that children should visit to get more information. The type of information the children would receive if they visited these sites includes:
www.freetobeme.com
I concluded that God’s intention was for one man and one woman to be in a life-long committed relationship, and that any other sexual relationship was wrong.
www.findout.org
Homosexuality is a painful and confusing issue for anyone to live with.
www.mygenes.co.nz
Homosexuality, as a genetic inevitability, has probably been gay activism’s most effective argument in the drive for equal rights and special protections. Although it is no longer politically correct or fashionable to say in many circles that homosexuals can change, it is scientifically accurate to say so.
This site is all about how behavior isn’t genetically determined. A kid wouldn’t notice what is not being said: that sexual orientation is not limited to behavior. The site is extremely deceptive and clearly intentionally so.
www.becomingreal.org
That’s why we’re here. To talk about same-sex attraction openly, honestly and with a Christian perspective, in a way that will be helpful to you in your journey.
www.reachtruth.com
This interactive website from the Portland Fellowship does not appear to be functioning at present.
www.exodusyouth.net
Exodus Youth provides resources where you can find biblical answers to your questions, links to support groups, youth pastors and online encouragement.
It is very difficult for me to see how allowing this handout differs from religious proselytizing. All of the resources for youth are links to religious organizations with a particular Christian bent. This is blatantly offensive to those parents of different faith.
There is no question as to what would happen if a tract was distributed to all high school students about depression that offered an alternative to medication… and then linked to the Church of Scientology. Or perhaps a handout about marriage… that linked to the Unification Church (the Moonies). Even a handout that directed school children to visit a Buddhist website would have evangelical Christians bombarding the school board demanding a rebuttal.
Sadly, some anti-gay evangelical Christians are so arrogant that they see no problem with flouting other parents’ religious beliefs just so they can push their views. In their zeal to “evangelize” to those who don’t want to hear them, they are willing to establish a most dangerous precedent.
Well put, Timothy.
I find it interesting that PFOX invented a new acronym — LGBTQX — which I can’t find referenced anywhere, including on the PFOX web site.
From what I’ve seen, PFOX is relatively alone among ex-gay advocacy groups in suggesting that ex-gay folks want and would benefit from being identified as a distinct group alongside their lgbtiq comrades.
If my memory serves, there have been occasions, but not recently, when ex-gay supporters have attempted to insert ex-gays in non-discrimination laws and guidelines which included lgbtiq folks. Most recently, it seems that the politics of opposing gay marriage, and in some states adoption and foster care by gay parents, have attracted more energy than winning civil rights for ex-gays.
In the meantime, though, the fight against marriage has relied on the assertion that lgbtiq folks are not worthy of civil rights protections on a par with the Lovings of Virginia. So, it would seem unlikely that ex-gay leaders might push for adding an “X” to lgbtiq.
In reaching out to adolescents, it’s hard to imagine that ex-gay leaders will fall in line behind PFOX by encouraging same-sex-attracted youth to identify themselves as ex-gay when they never got a chance to be openly gay in the first place.
I met Regina Griggs and a couple of others from PFOX in May. They are sweet, well-meaning folks who give great hugs and have working relationships with Exodus leaders and other ex-gay ministries. With this flyer they also demonstrate a desire to mislead folks, though, by creating their own terms and concepts in an attempt to portray themselves as a mainstream, tolerant, and credible.
Considering the heavy loading of Christian sites on the handout, one might wonder why there is not a reference to ex-gay sites from the Mormons (Evergreen), Muslims (?), Jewish sites, and Scientology (get clear, Tom… er, man!).
Subject matter of these pamphlets aside, if religious materials are allowed to be privately shared or passed out during free time in schools I have no problem with it. This seems to be a First Amendment case involving free speech and religion. It would be different if the school itself sanctioned or participated in distributing these pamphlets, but if they are coming from the students it seems protected to me. I’m always very leery in limiting freedoms, even of opponents, because such tends to bite us in the keister later on. Besides, this same First Amendment allows ‘pro-gay’ students to follow suit with religious pamphlets of their own.
It would be different if the school itself sanctioned or participated in distributing these pamphlets, but if they are coming from the students it seems protected to me.
It was distributed by the school during homeroom.
It was distributed by the school during homeroom.
I find this very disturbing.
If PFOX is allowed to have their flyers distributed during homeroom then a flyer of opposing viewpoint needs to be handle out at the same time with phone numbers and addresses to positive gay resources. Not the following day. Not the following week. At the same time.
I’m not sure how those at PFOX would react to having a pro-gay flyer handed out along side theirs. But I can imagine it would cause them to stir in their seats quite a bit. 😉
Ken R,
I think the students already get gay-supportive information.
So I’ll go you one better. Since PFOX’s handout is comprised of religious websites, I think a handout should be passed out with links to other religions or other church websites.
Timothy, how about a handout with atheist links?
Timothy, how about a handout with atheist links?
Do you know of any atheist ex-gay websites 😉
Well you got me there David, but…
Do you know of any gay supportive “ex-gay” websites?
Randi,
Sure, athiest sites. Why not? If PFOX can link to sites that recruit same-sex attracted kids to doctrine-specific evangelical Christian websites, then surely other religions can do the same (and I tend to include athiesm as a religion – it is, after all, a teaching about the nature of deities).
I say get together a “non-profit” in Maryland, put together a flyer and link to sites for athiests, wiccans, and (if you can find them) satanists that talk about gay issues.
If PFOX thinks that the school-distributed response to same-sex attractions is religious websites, I say give ’em alternatives. In fact, put the PFOX site on the flyer as well, right next to the satanist site.
Naturally, I’m not an athiest, wiccan, or satanist. But I’m a Christian that believes that pushing religious teachings at school opens it up for everyone, not just Christians.
You know, I have to believe most of these kids are throwing this stuff in the garbage. PFOX must think that as well because they spent zero time on the handout – it’s awful. And PFOX isn’t even set up to handle any outside contact so asking for it is disengenuous. Just about any place one can think of would be better for them than PFOX.
It was distributed by the school during homeroom.
If that is so then it would appear a violation of the Establishment Clause may have occurred. I’m surprised no one has filed suit yet, though I haven’t really followed this story.
You know, I have to believe most of these kids are throwing this stuff in the garbage.
I tend to agree. That’s certainly what would have happened when I was in school. Of course they may just reach that handful of kids struggling with their sexuality which is a shame. I hope that GSA, PFLAG, and other groups are coming up with a response.
PFOX must think that as well because they spent zero time on the handout – it’s awful.
Yes, it is. The handout is more a shill for ex-gay websites than anything else. They need a better PR man, not that I hope they get one…