Contact: Regina Griggs, Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays & Gays (PFOX)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Public Schools Thank Director of Ex-Gay Organization for Local Service

Montgomery County, MD – Peter Sprigg, a director of Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays & Gays (PFOX), has been recognized by the Superintendent of Schools of Montgomery County, Maryland, for his years of service to the local public school system. As a representative of PFOX, Sprigg served on the school board’s Citizens Advisory Committee on Family Life and Human Development for the last six years. The Committee reviews and makes recommendations regarding the student sex education curriculum.

Sprigg originally joined the committee in 2005 as a representative of PFOX after the county’s previous sex education curriculum was thrown out as a result of a lawsuit in which PFOX was one of the plaintiffs. Although committee members usually are limited to two two-year terms, Sprigg was granted special permission to serve a third term from 2009 to 2011.

Superintendent Joshua P. Starr noted in his letter to Sprigg, “The committee often deals with issues that evoke strong emotions and your thoughtful participation in the committee’s work helped create a collaborative environment.”

At his last meeting as a member of the Citizens Advisory Committee, Sprigg succeeded in winning committee approval for a resolution recommending that teachers be given a statement from the American Psychological Association as a resource to use in answer to student questions about what causes sexual orientation. The APA statement calls into question the widespread belief that science has shown there is a “gay gene” or that people are “born gay.” It reads, in part:

There is no consensus among scientists about the exact reasons that an individual develops a heterosexual, bisexual, gay, or lesbian orientation. Although much research has examined the possible genetic, hormonal, developmental, social, and cultural influences on sexual orientation, no findings have emerged that permit scientists to conclude that sexual orientation is determined by any particular factor or factors.

“Peter Sprigg has spoken out in favor of including former homosexuals in the county’s ‘Respect for Differences in Human Sexuality’ school lessons,” said Regina Griggs, Executive Director of PFOX. “These lessons promote tolerance of homosexuals, lesbians, bisexuals, transgenders, cross-dressers, and the intersexed, yet fail to include ex-gays, which is the only disfavored group within the public school system.”

“Mr. Sprigg also enabled public schools to promote a diverse learning environment by participating in PFOX’s flyer distribution program. PFOX distributes flyers to high school students urging the elimination of bias and prejudice against former homosexuals and their supporters.”

Peter Sprigg is scheduled to speak at the upcoming PFOX conference in March.

Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays & Gays (PFOX) promotes an inclusive environment for the ex-gay community, and educates youth with factual information about same-sex attractions.

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