August 12, 2013

The following is the entire PFOX press release titled “PFOX Calls for Apology from Mayor for Discriminating Against African-American Ex-Gays – Mayor’s Disgraceful Action Shows that Gays Have More Power than Blacks in Urban City:” Washington, D.C. — Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays & Gays (PFOX) is calling on Washington D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray to apologize for caving in to homosexual activists and removing African-American gospel singer Donnie McClurkin from an Aug. 10 concert celebrating the civil rights achievements of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The Grammy award winning singer is openly ex-gay.

“Gay activists, who used the black civil rights movement to win their own battles, have turned against African-Americans who no longer want to engage in homosexuality,” said Regina Griggs, executive director of PFOX. “Gay rights groups demand marriage equality, but deny equal rights to ex-gays who want full inclusion in society at the same level that gays enjoy. Every person seeking positive life change needs the love and support of friends, family, the community, and the church. The mayor has, instead, slapped Donnie in the face.”

“Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy cited public ‘animus’ against gays as a reason to strike down part of the Defense of Marriage Act, yet gay rights groups promote hatred against former homosexuals,” said Griggs. “As shown with Donnie McClurkin, ex-gays are the most powerless and discriminated against minority in America today. At the behest of gay activists, the black mayor of a major urban city removed an African-American from a civil rights event despite the protests of local black ministers. Respecting the lives of people like Donnie who have decided to change, and including them in the conversation, is part of building a tolerant society.”

“The Mayor’s misguided action violates the D.C. Human Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination against an individual’s sexual orientation,” Griggs said. In a precedent setting case brought by PFOX, the Superior Court of the District of Columbia has ruled that former homosexuals are a protected class recognized under the city’s sexual orientation non-discrimination law. “We need a climate of compassion and inclusion, not contempt and exclusion,” Griggs said.