D.C. Mayor Sorry for "Ex-gay" Honor

Washington, D.C. mayor Adrian Fenty apologized Thursday for his decision to honor the leader of an “ex-gay” movement with a certificate of appreciation. The move, which outraged gay rights activists, was described as a “staff-level error.”

According to The Washington Post, “Fenty’s statement comes one day after local and national gay-rights leaders demanded to know why Fenty honored Regina Griggs, executive director of the Parents and Friends of ExGays and Gays.”

Mafara Hobson, a spokeswoman for Fenty, said, “We apologize for the error as it runs contrary to the mayor’s vision of a more open and inclusive city. The mayor is proud of his ardent support of the LGBT community.”

Fenty signed the district’s marriage equality bill into law in December.

The Post reports that “ex-gay” group PFOX sent a press release Wednesday lauding the mayor’s decision to honor executive director Regina Griggs. Fenty, a Democrat, signed his name to a statement thanking Griggs for her “dedication, commitment and outstanding contributions” to the “ex-gay” movement.