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The rest included is a MUST read.CNSNews.com Correspondent
July 06, 2004
(CNSNews.com) - The presence of an "Ex-Gay Educators Caucus" at the National Education Association's convention doesn't mean that the NEA will be receptive to their views.
In February, the NEA recognized the caucus, providing former homosexual educators the right to lobby the teachers' union. Representatives of the caucus have an exhibit at the NEA's annual convention, which runs through July 7 in Washington, D.C.
"We want everyone who knows that gays exist to know that ex-gays exist," said Jeralee Smith, chairwoman of the Ex-Gay Educators Caucus. "There should not be just one side put forth with public dollars."
"It's harder to be an ex-gay than to be gay," said Chad Thompson, president of Inqueery, an organization dedicated to addressing the perspective of former homosexuals in high schools and colleges.
For the past two years, former homosexuals have asked the NEA to add "ex-gays" to any discussion of sexual orientation already included in resolutions and policies and to promote non-discrimination policies that support "ex-gays."
However, the NEA's representative assembly refused to consider the matter, declaring it too offensive for discussion.
This year, the Ex-Gay Caucus will present a statement to the representative assembly. "We're asking NEA to disengage from all organizations that contribute to a sexual environment," said Smith.
Former homosexuals describe the NEA itself as unreceptive to the "ex-gay" perspective.
"The NEA has historically not listened to this group," said Warren Throckmorton, an associate professor of psychology and exhibitor at the Ex-Gay Educators Caucus booth.
The teachers' union has endorsed a booklet about sexual orientation that is critical of attempts to modify or eliminate homosexual desires by "conservative organizations."
"The promotion of 'reparative therapy' and 'transformational ministry' is likely to exacerbate the risk of harassment, harm and fear," the booklet reads.
The NEA's booklet also suggests that "school officials should be deeply concerned about the validity and bias of materials or presentations that promote a change to a person's sexual orientation as a 'cure' or suggest that being gay, lesbian or bisexual is unhealthy."
The teachers' union has endorsed a booklet about sexual orientation that is critical of attempts to modify or eliminate homosexual desires by "conservative organizations."
"The promotion of 'reparative therapy' and 'transformational ministry' is likely to exacerbate the risk of harassment, harm and fear," the booklet reads.
The NEA's booklet also suggests that "school officials should be deeply concerned about the validity and bias of materials or presentations that promote a change to a person's sexual orientation as a 'cure' or suggest that being gay, lesbian or bisexual is unhealthy."
