by | July 7, 2008 · 8:24 pm

2008 NEA Representative Assembly Meets in Washington, D.C.

The 2008 NEA Representative Assembly met in Washington, D.C. , July 1-July 6. This year’s theme was “Team NEA. Commitment. Courage. Power.” As always, it was truly amazing to see 9,000 delegates discuss, debate, and make decisions affecting education.

This year the first NEA Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Open Hearing was held. Unfortunately, currently the ex-gay perspective is not represented on the newly formed NEA Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Committee. Another area of concern to me was that while I was attending the various pre-conference meetings, I became ever more aware of the ex-gay voice being silenced by the inappropriate use of the term “homophobe”. The American Psychiatric Association’s definition of phobia explains that it involves an extreme dread and avoidance of the object of the phobia. It seems to me that healthy dialogue spoken with respect and love are the coveted trademarks of American society and is a part of what keeps our country healthy and great.

On a more positive note, during the pre-conference Expo, the NEA Ex-Gay Educator’s Caucus did have a booth in which we were able to give out 483 pieces of literature, as well as talk with numerous people about the our caucus beliefs and goals, and answer questions the visitors had.

Susan Halvorson
NEA Ex-Gay Educators’ Caucus Chair

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by | July 6, 2007 · 8:22 pm

Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness

July 6, 2007

PHILADELPHIA PA – As the National Education Association met in Philadelphia June 30- July 5, 2007, to do union business and to celebrate 150 years of its existence, the celebration of freedom rang out. Or did it? Currently the GLBT message that you are born that way, you can’t change, and if you try to change it will be harmful is one of the messages that rings the loudest.

In response to the GLBT message, the NEA Ex-Gay Educators Caucus was founded in 2004 by Jeralee Smith, former lesbian. The purpose of the caucus is to work within the NEA to make policy changes to ensure that the Ex-Gay voice is heard. In her own quest of happiness, Jeralee, for a number of years could find no support in dealing with her unwanted same-sex attraction. Because of this dilemma, she started the caucus believing that youth deserve to hear all the information, and deserve a safe environment and support to pursue their own happiness.

At this year’s NEA Ex-Gay Expo booth at the convention, 494 pieces of literature were given out and many people were able to hear the ex-gay message that “Change Is Possible” and “We are here to support you in that decision.” Although the voice is not nearly strong enough, we are hoping that before long that message will ring out loud and clear.

If you are an NEA member who is an ex-gay, and you would like more information on the caucus or on becoming a delegate to next year’s NEA representative assembly, please contact NEA Ex-Gay Educators Caucus chair, Susan Halvorson, at 888-532-4678.

Together let’s make sure that, as the GLBT message is heard, the ex-gay voice is heard as well so that people can truly make their own decisions in their pursuit of happiness.

Contact: Sue Halvorson, Chair, NEA Ex-Gay Educators Caucus

“THE VIEWS EXPRESSED IN THIS DOCUMENT ARE THOSE OF THE CAUCUS. THE CAUCUS HAS NO AUTHORITY TO SPEAK FOR, OR ACT ON BEHALF OF, NEA.”

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by | March 15, 2006 · 2:00 pm

Sexual Orientation Consensus Guidelines Include Ex-Gays

News Release:  March 15, 2006
Contact:  Regina Griggs, PFOX Director, 703-360-2225
http://www.pfox.org

New public school guidelines endorsed by gay group GLSEN and Christian organization CEAI

WASHINGTON, DC –  The First Amendment Center has released the first consensus guidelines to help public schools develop sexual orientation policies.  The new guidelines advise school officials to include the viewpoints of all participants in order to develop policies that promote fairness for all.  According to Charles Haynes, a primary drafter of the guidelines and Senior Scholar at the First Amendment Center, the ex-gay viewpoint in public schools is protected by the First Amendment and should be heard.

Haynes explained that incidents such as the one last year in Montgomery County, Maryland, might have been avoided had guidelines like these been in place.  In that case, Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays & Gays (PFOX) successfully sued the Montgomery County School Board for failing to include the ex-gay viewpoint.  Haynes said, “Americans are deeply divided over homosexuality in our society.  But if public school officials and community leaders use the ground rules of the First Amendment, they can reach agreement on how public schools can guard the rights of all students in a safe learning environment.”

One of the endorsers to the guidelines also agrees that school officials should consider the ex-gay viewpoint.  “The strength in the framework of the guidelines is that all sides should be heard and this does include the ex-gay perspective, ” said Finn Laursen, director of Christian Educators Association International (CEAI).

“As PFOX continues to work for inclusion and respect of the ex-gay viewpoint in public schools nationwide, we are assured by the consensus guidelines that the ex-gay viewpoint is protected by the First Amendment,” said Regina Griggs, PFOX Director.  “In too many schools, the ex-gay viewpoint is censored or marginalized.  Now school districts are held to a standard of respect.  According to the new guidelines, actions by educators to exclude some views merely because they disagree with them constitute viewpoint discrimination in violation of the First Amendment.”

The guidelines have also been endorsed by the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN), American Association of School Administrators, and Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.

PFOX is a non-profit organization supporting families and the ex-gay community.  The First Amendment Center is associated with the Newseum and Freedom Forum.  The guidelines are available at http://www.firstamendmentcenter.org.

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by | February 17, 2004 · 8:05 pm

Ex-Gay Teachers Form National Education Association Caucus

February 17, 2004

NEA Ex-Gay Educators Caucus Formed

WASHINGTON DC – A group of ex-gay teachers has formed a recognized caucus of the National Education Association (NEA).  The new NEA Ex-Gay Educators Caucus is chaired by Jeralee Smith,  a former lesbian.

The NEA is the largest teachers’ union in the United States. An NEA caucus is an internal entity recognized by NEA for the purpose of attempting to influence NEA governance.  Caucuses do not speak for, or act on behalf of the NEA, but advise and lobby NEA governance.

According to Smith, the Ex-Gay Educators Caucus will work to prevent discrimination and intolerance against ex-gay students, teachers, and their supporters. It will advocate a safe environment for all diverse populations, including ex-gay education employees and questioning youth.

Said Smith, “Our caucus will work with NEA to develop policies that recognize the needs of ex-gays in our education system.  We believe education is the best way to overcome society’s phobia of former homosexuals.  The caucus will also advocate alternatives to homosexuality in school curriculum to ensure diversity.”

Contact: Jeralee Smith, Chair, NEA Ex-Gay Educators Caucus

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