Harassment, Threats Prompt Schedule Changes for Ex-Gay Pride Events
Anti-ex-gay extremism and harassment by the opposition has prompted Family Research Council (FRC) organizations Voice of the Voiceless and Equality and Justice to change their plans for Ex-Gay Pride 2013. The July 31 Lobbying Day on Capitol Hill has been cancelled, and the evening dinner/reception at FRC is being moved to an undisclosed location in September because of security threats.
A press release revealed the organizations will still hold Ex-Gay Pride events in July. However, the first Ex-Gay Pride Awareness Month has been moved to September.
“We are committed to holding an alternate event in late July as well as supporting some other initiatives that our allies and fellow ex-gays are planning for July,” the release said. “These events are still in development and will not be announced until late next week. For all of our supporters that have made travel plans to attend the July 31 event, we sincerely apologize for having to change plans, but we thought it was in the best interest to ensure the safety and security of all participants and speakers.
“On the bright side, this harassment and anti-ex-gay extremism has reminded us just how intolerant some individuals and organizations are about the existence of ex-gays and former homosexuals. … Ex-Gay Awareness Month in September will be a time to reflect on the discrimination and marginalization that former homosexuals and ex-gays experience in the public at large. It will also provide some much-needed exposure to students in secondary schools and colleges across the country to learn about the plights, challenges, and tribulations facing ex-gays in our culture.”
Christopher Doyle, Voice of the Voiceless co-founder and acting director, says the group is a public advocacy organization of ex-gays that represents “tens of thousands of former homosexuals” and is looking for the same privileges President Obama gave the LGBT community during Gay Pride Month in June.
“As you may know, former homosexuals are now recognized as a legally protected class in Washington, D.C.,” Doyle said in his letter to the president. “We would like to discuss tolerance for the ex-gay community and how the White House can ensure equal access for ex-gays in the nation’s capital, which is the only jurisdiction that recognizes ex-gays as a legally protected class.”
Doyle’s letter said his office has left multiple voice messages for the White House Office of Public Engagement—calls that have gone unanswered.
Doyle said for years ex-gays have “suffered discrimination and intimidation because they dare to exist.”
“Thanks to a 2009 judicial ruling, ex-gays no longer have to hide in the shadows in fear of intimidation and threats from anti-ex-gay activists and media who seek to marginalize and diminish our community,” Doyle said.
