Do you think the VA Courts were right on thier ruling for a Ex-Gay Group?

Question

A Northern Virginia school district has reversed course and will now allow an ex-"gay" group to distribute flyers informing students that homosexuality is a choice.

PFOX's attorney, Tim Tracey with the Christian Legal Society (CLS), says the district has agreed to treat the group "even-handedly."

"The law is clear," the attorney explains. "The First Amendment law on the issue of what public schools have to do with community groups' fliers is absolutely clear. They're going to treat them like any other community group."

The CLS attorney continues, explaining how things should be different now. "So PFOX will be able to have its flyers handed out.
Truth Wins Out" lashed out at the Arlington School District, claiming "the content provided by PFOX is medically reckless and morally reprehensible" and "puts the health of GLBT [gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender] students at risk."
http://www.onenewsnow.com/2007/08/about_face_va_school_district.php

Answer 1

actually, oh i misunderstood what you said, i see.



Well, the 1st amendment is still the first amendment.

Answer 2

I agree with John C. The issue regarding whether or not homosexuality is a choice is still a hot topic that has not been settled. I do not agree with a group being able to spread information around schools based on opinion instead of fact. What is the need to inform students about whether or not homosexuality is a choice? I think the first ammendment protects their right to pass out these flyers but I do not think it allows them to pass out these flyers at schools.

Answer 3

The Courts made the right decision for a change. Equal means equal and freedom of speech applies to all.



One of your answerers said that the school has a "moral obligation" to provide facts so no one falls for this literature. I'm sure there are plenty of people who would see this as a hypocritical statement since the biggest complaint against religion is that people are pushing their morals.



Hypocrisy has been stopped when the court reversed its decision. What's good for one group is good for another.

Answer 4

I have no problem with both sides distributing their information. That is as long as it does not interfere with the true academic process. Also if the group is directly related to an increase in violence or harassment against any individuals civil liberties; then of course that group should be held accountable. Free speech does not come with out responsibilities.

Answer 5

The school district's settlement allows PFOX to handout "ex-gay" fliers at middle schools urging students to visit a website that refers them to a discredited counselor, Richard Cohen, who was permanently expelled from the American Counseling Association. YouTube has some great clips of Cohen's wacky counseling antics.



What's the risk? Professional psychological associations report that "ex-gay" therapy is not only ineffectual but very often harmful, contributing to suicidal feelings among queer and queer-questioning youth. Queer youth are three times more likely to attempt suicide than non-queer youth, often because feelings of self-loathing are reinforced by religion-based prejudice.



Conclusion: I'm all for free speech, but it has to be responsible speech. Many ex-gay groups -- and especially PFOX -- are not responsible in their presentation of information about homosexuality. Free societies tolerate bias, but when we're talking about vulnerable youth being fed potentially lethal lies, we need to draw the line.

Answer 6

Well, isn't one of the GLBT cherished values diversity? So, why fight another diverse view? To do so, just seems so hypocritical. Isn't this obvious, or do I need stronger glasses and a hearing aid? Then, of course there's the first amendment. How a group of folks who unfortunately have plenty of stories to share about discrimination, then discriminate and disregard this cherished American value and practice? Something's just not right in River City!



In addition, Truth Wins Out needs to do some hard and fast research, rather than making histrionic, attention getting statements with no science research stats to back it up their claims.



On the contrary, let me give you a quite a few here actually against their claims: 1) CDC research indicates that out of all HIV/AIDS affected Americans, 71% represent the MSM population (men who have sex with men), which is an increase over previous years. 2) According to the CDC, most of the reasons that most other STDs are spiralling out of control is because of this MSM population, 3) There is absolutely NO evidence in research to state that being gay, nor denying being gay when one is, is a major factor for teenage suicide. 4) A Dutch study in 2002 (from the gay-friendly Netherlands) indicated that adult gay and lesbian folks are much more likely to experience depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, domestic violence, alcohol and drug abuse disorders in comparison to the general population. 5) In contrast to the 22 year average of duration for heterosexual monogomous relationships, gay male relationships have an average 1 and a half to 2 years in duration, and that with having at least 8 other brief sexual relationships during this period, and lesbians 5 to 6 years. 6) Statistics show that sexual orientation naturally shifts towards heterosexuality as maturity occurs (i.e, in a mega-study, stats revealed that 25% of 12 y.o. males saw themselves as "gay", 12% at 16 y.o., 8% at 18 y.o., and less than 4% betwenm the ages of 21 and 25). This indicates that adults labeling these adolescents as "gay" for life is greatly misleading at least 80% of the time to them who do say they're gay at 12 years old, and therefore most likely is a great disservice to their psychosexual growth, and possibly even enabling poor physical and mental health in their future.



Now, giving these stats, what could Truth Wins Out possibly be upset about? If anything, they and everyone else should be thankful for a group like PFOX who encourages those who don't want live a gay life to find their resolve in doing so, as well as teach against discrimination of ex-gays and those who want to be gay.

Answer 7

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Answer 8

Ha....I know a lot of people who say it's a genetic thing and have the scientific studies to support it...



As long as the group doesn't take educational time away, I don't care. They wont let religious people come in and hand out stuff like that I bet.

Answer 9

They still have not settled this issue on wether or not it's a choice. They made a choice based on the constitution yes but I still think this is a pathetic group to use children like that.

Answer 10

I think the playing field needs to be level for everyone. If one gets to play so should everyone else.



or keep it ALL out of our schools. I'm not sure why our schools are so political these days - no wonder we lag behind in the USA. We're more concerned about political and societal agendas than education.

Answer 11

How can they allow blatant lies, be distributed in school, to school age children?



I mean they can hand out flyers, saying come and visit, take a look, ask us questions.



But the flyers should not be able to state the homosexuality is a choice, and we have a cure for you!

Answer 12

Freedom of speech, however I do think there should be something on the flier stating that this is not proven.

Answer 13

It's not freedom of speech unless it's freedom of speech for those who disagree with you. Sure, they should be allowed to distribute fliers.

Though the schools have a moral obligation in that situation to provide students with the facts so they don't actually fall for that bullshit.

Answer 14

Dear Virginia(VA),



Grace(not law) unto you, and peace(not division),

from God our Father and the Lord Jesus-->Christ.



It's not at all about Gay ppl vs Straight ppl;

Witch is Law vs Law: Dividead against itself.

Rather it's all about (Law vs Law) vs Grace.



The VA(Veterans Assoc) has "forsaken" Veterans.

I wonder which God of twain is the forsake-ing kind:



Law: "I will forsake you", the city, your fathers: Enmity

Grace: "I will never leave thee nor forsake thee: Friend



Law: you must first be a sacrifice, then a scape-goat.

Grace: "I will have mercy, and not sacrifice"(slaughter).



Jesus: "My God, my God", why hast thou "forsaken" me

Christ: Go learn mercy, not sacrifice means grace, not law.



To wit, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself.



There is no dis-comfort at all in "the God of all comfort(only)".



POINT: Grace is smarter than Mt 22 & Rom 8 Law Law:

The word of God is "sharper than any twoedged sword".



Law: God our Destroyer, wants Sacrifice, is Destructive

Grace: God our Saviour, wants Mercy, is Constructive



The GRACE of our Lord Jesus Christ with you all. Amen.

Answer 15

As long as its not misinformation. The whole Choice/Not a Choice is still a big issue.

Answer 16

They made a sound decision based on our Constitution.

Answer 17

One can only hope that the Flat Earth Society don't get to hear of this, and start distributing *their* literature as factual.

Answer 18

wait i thought being gay wasn't a choice

maybe the fliers said "it's okay to be gay" not become gay

Answer 19

I'm all for people saying whatever they want to say. As long as they can deal with me telling them how wrong and dumb they are.

Answer 20

The trouble with free speech is that it allows speech like that.



It doesn't make it true, of course.