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Ex-âgaysâ accuse senators of discrimination
EFLAn activist group is accusing senators of discrimination for passing a "hate crimes" amendment on sexual orientation but refusing to consider a resolution supporting tolerance for ex-homosexuals. The resolution promoted by Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays & Gays, or PFOX, says "Congress condemns hate against ex-gays and affirms its commitment to a society that respects all people, including former homosexuals." Last Tuesday, the Senate approved 65-33 an amendment sponsored by Sen. Edward Kennedy to expand federal hate-crime laws to include homosexuals. The legislation is part of the Defense Authorization Act, which Congress must pass this year. If the bill is approved as a whole, a conference committee will reconcile the Senateâs version with the Houseâs, which does not include the hate crimes amendment. PFOX Executive Director Regina Griggs says she canât understand why Republican Sen. George Allen of Virginia voted for the hate-crimes amendment but refused to co-sponsor a resolution calling for tolerance for "ex-gays." "Now who could be opposed to that?" asked Griggs, who says her group came to Capitol Hill last month for "Ex-Gay Lobby Days." Rev. Darryl Foster, an African-American former homosexual, asked Allenâs office to sign on to the resolution but was rebuffed. "Allenâs office said that acknowledging ex- gays through the resolution would amount to âfavoritismâ and the senator would not do that," said Foster. Griggs insisted itâs Allen who appears to be "playing favorites" by discriminating against former homosexuals. "Sen. Allen voted for the Kennedy gay hate-crimes law which will cost taxpayers $5 million a year to implement, yet refuses to co-sponsor our resolution, which is merely a statement condemning hate against former homosexuals and costs nothing to implement," she said. "It doesnât make sense." PFOX says for the past two years, Kennedyâs office has refused to make an appointment to meet with his former-homosexual constituents on Ex-Gay Lobby Days. "Because of his closed door policy to ex-gays, Kennedyâs gay hate-crimes law will not protect former homosexuals," said Griggs. "Sen. Kennedyâs intolerance and ignorance of ex-gay issues, and Sen. Allenâs refusal to consider supporting a resolution for ex-gays, is unfortunate in this age of civil rights." This is getting more confusing than even I anticipated. Isnât there a "future gay" lobby that would also like to add some riders to this Defense Bill? Posted by: Super Hose 2004-06-23 |
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