Parents and
Friends of Ex-Gays and Gays -- a group that advocates for
people who have "overcome" homosexuality -- has sued the
Washington, D.C., office of Human Rights for failing to
protect "former" gays and lesbians under its sexual
orientation antidiscrimination law.
"The ex-gay
community is the most bullied and maligned group in
America, yet they are not protected by sexual orientation
nondiscrimination laws," said Regina Griggs, PFOX's
executive director, in a release.
PFOX's lawsuit
asks the D.C. superior court to direct the city's office
of Human Rights to include "former" homosexuals under the
sexual orientation law. In D.C., the
law currently prohibits discrimination based on
sexual preference, sexual orientation, and gender
expression.
"Former
homosexuals and their friends have been fired from their
jobs, repeatedly ridiculed, assaulted, and intimidated,"
Griggs said. "This harassment is most often
perpetrated by the same groups who demand protection
under sexual orientation laws but work to deny ex-gays
the same respect."
On August 25,
PFOX sent a letter to presidential candidate Barack Obama
asking whether ex-gays will be protected under the
Employment Non-Discrimination Act, which he said would
sign into law as president. Obama has not yet
responded.
"Former
homosexuals should have the right to be out, open, and safe
in society," Griggs said. (Neal Broverman, The
Advocate)