"Ex-Gay" Group
Demands Protections

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)