Dear Mr. Saylors,

Your letter does not state how PFOX violates the PTA Diversity and Inclusion Policy.  On what grounds is PFOX not in accordance with your policy?  The National PTA Diversity and Inclusion Policy which you sent us claims that:

“The recognition of diversity within organizations is valuing differences and similarities in people through actions and accountability. These differences and similarities include age, ethnicity, language and culture, economic status, educational background, gender, geographic location, marital status, mental ability, national origin, organizational position and tenure, parental status, physical ability, political philosophy, race, religion, sexual orientation, and work experience.”

Is not the PTA violating its own all-inclusive policy by excluding PFOX families and ex-gays?  Otherwise, the PTA is guilty of a biased and highly selective “diversity” policy. 

Last summer PFOX secured a decision by the Superior Court of Washington D.C. holding that ex-gays are a protected class under the sexual orientation non-discrimination provision of Washington DC’s Human Rights Act.  The DC Office of Human Rights had refused to extend sexual orientation non-discrimination protections to former homosexuals, although gays freely enjoyed those rights.  The Court held that the Human Rights Act does not require immutable characteristics for sexual orientation status so that ex-gays are included in the term of “sexual orientation.”  See Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays, Inc. v. Government of the District Office of Human Rights, 2008CA003662 (June 26, 2009).  Is the PTA excluding PFOX because it does not like ex-gays and does not consider former homosexuals to be covered by the PTA’s policy definition of “sexual orientation”? 

The PTA’s Diversity and Inclusion Policy also urges members to:

Become acquainted with the leaders of the many diverse groups in the community and collaborate with them to increase parent, family and community involvement.

We urge you, Mr. Saylors, to do exactly that.  We would like you to please meet our PFOX families and members of the ex-gay community to see for yourself that we are not the horrible people you think we are.  Please call me to arrange a time when we can meet at your office and at your convenience.  As you travel around the country giving speeches to urge more family and community involvement in the PTA, we urge you to remember that PFOX families are also PTA families.

Sincerely,

Regina Griggs

Executive Director   

Subject: Re: please respond
Date: Fri, 28 May 2010 14:05:20 -0500
From: csaylors@pta.org

Dear Mr.Saylors,
 
I am in receipt of the PTA letter of rejection for  Parents and Friends of Ex-gays and Gays (PFOX) to host a booth at June 10,2010 National Conference. l would like you to provide me with an answer stating specifically how PFOX violates your Diversity Policy.
 
Sincerely
 
Regina Griggs
Executive Director PFOX
Please contact me at 804-453-4737