MN Parents Action League Obstructs Bullying Prevention with Help of Ex-Gay Groups

Today, the New York Times examined the conflict in the Anoka-Hennepin school district over bullying prevention. The school district in Michele Bachmann’s Congressional district has lost eight students to suicide in the last two years. Critics of the district say that some of the suicides are due to anti-gay bullying and want the school district to renounce a policy of neutrality toward discussions of sexual orientation. A parent’s group, using ex-gay literature and arguments, is fighting to keep the policy in place.
Although not named in the article, the group is called the Parents Action League.  They claim to disapprove of bullying for any reason; however, I believe they are a part of the problem. Their website does not do what they claim — “to…equip citizens with current and accurate information” — and in fact adds to harmful sterotyping of GLB people.
You can read what they have to say about homosexuality on their FAQs page. Most of it is outdated criticisms of old studies. I have addressed these issues in prior posts. My focus now is to point out what appears to me to be the real focus of this group. One of the questions asked and answered is:

If we don’t approve of homosexual behavior and affirm same-sex attraction, won’t we be causing depression and unhappiness for “gay” teens?
On the contrary, when a child has been deliberately misinformed about the causes of homosexuality and told that homosexual acts are normal and natural, all hope for recovery is taken away.  Hopelessness can lead to depression and affect a child’s ability to be happy.  If we really love someone, we’ll tell him or her the truth that change is possible.

After deliberately misinforming their readers about homosexuality, the PAL people then get to their bottom line. The depression felt by bullied kids at Anoka-Hennepin is not due to disapproval and vilification, it is due to the fact that no one has given you the ex-gay message – change is possible.
PAL claims it wants a neutrality policy but it really doesn’t. PAL people want kids told that there is hope for change. Not neutral; and mostly wrong.
As I wrote on the CNN Belief Blog last year, I believe the school should name the problem and specifically forbid bullying based on real or perceived sexual orientation. The Olweus Bullying prevention program should be implemented.
I also believe that groups like NARTH and Exodus should take some responsibility for the information they promote. Speaking directly to NARTH and Exodus: Parent’s are obstructing the well being of children because of the information you disseminate. You promote change as happening more frequently than it actually does, and I believe you know it.  Many people do decide to channel their actions in alignment with their beliefs, but it is infrequent that someone goes from gay to straight in attractions, fantasies and actions. You should end your silence and communicate the real situation to these groups. Part of the reason they obstruct progress in addressing bullying is because of the distorted narrative you have helped to create.
I believe there are caring people with the PAL, but they think that being attracted to the same sex is due to deliberate choice of a lifestyle or the result of bad parenting or a wicked culture. If they knew that many same-sex attracted kids have great loving parents, attend church, live moral lives and are simply trying to understand what is happening to them, they might become part of the solution and not the problem. Why do PAL people think what they think? Many reasons probably, but the intellectual source nearly always comes back to NARTH or Exodus.
UPDATE: To be consistent, I need to add Mission America, PFOX, Focus on the Family and the American College of Pediatricians to the two groups listed above. Regarding Exodus, there is only one item (Janet Boynes’ book) directly related to an Exodus affiliate. However, the organization does offer for sale books which are listed on the PAL website, including Joseph Nicolosi’s Parents Guide to Preventing Homosexuality.
I have received several emails on this post, most supporting this call for groups to evaluate how their message is working against bullying prevention. A couple have criticized me saying that I advocate censorship of a valid point of view.  I don’t see it that way. I see it as advocating responsibility. When a group like PAL is using the belief that gays are by definition disordered, depressed and the products of bad parenting and/or abuse in order to offset bullying prevention efforts, then I think it is time to re-evaluate the situation.

52 thoughts on “MN Parents Action League Obstructs Bullying Prevention with Help of Ex-Gay Groups”

  1. Hmm,
    If it were Christian students being bullied because of their percieved belief in Christ I wonder if PAL would still claim that the problem was the people being bullied .. not the bullies. .. and that what the Christians really needed was to change their belief system .. that their belief in Christ was what was making them depressed. I really doubt it.
    @M. Worrell … Your solution sounds nice but it is likely that Christian groups such as the one mentioined above would never allow such a simple solution. They would look on it as affirming and insist that true happiness means changing one’s moral view to match up with their change agenda … with the presumption that being gay=being depressed. It is one thing to have a moral view and/or moral practice.. it is quite another to assume that a person’s emotional state is always directly linked to that view. People down through the ages both in the Bible and to present day have wondered why those who do wrong (in their eyes) may still propser and be happy and those who do right (in their eyes) may not prosper or be happy. Even without the faulty exgay rhetoric their position is questionable and certainly not somehting that I as a Christian would support.
    I find it saddening that the biggest agenda coming from Christian groups is this idea that these kids are broken and need fixed. With the exception of the Golden Rule Pledge I have not seen any Christian programs that advocate a program or attitude that actually addresses the attitude of the bullies (or the Christian wannabe’s that have forgotten the simple rule of treating others the way you would want to be treated).
    I realize that public schools are a place where multiple groups with multiple beliefs are pushing to have their influence on the hearts and minds of children. So I doubt that any one group is ever going to feel that their view is adequately or fairly represented. What I think Christians often forget is that public schools are not church .. but are .. instead … a place that (along with providing a scholarly education) help students to realize the diversity of the world they live in (not necessarily a Christian world view).
    Dave

  2. And keep in mind that Exodus is against all bullying programs anyway, since Alan Chambers believes they are “tools to crush Christian evangelism”.

  3. I also believe that groups like NARTH and Exodus should take some responsibility for the information they promote. Speaking directly to NARTH and Exodus: Parent’s are obstructing the well being of children because of the information you disseminate.

    My chest got tight when I read these words, what flashed accross my mind was, “Whoa, Warren has mounted up, he has taken the gloves off” We all should mount up and join him in any way that we can.
    Warren, I read that article in the NYT also and it turned my stomach. Made my stomach queezy, it really did and it made me angry. I follow politics and religion as it applies to people who are gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transgender, and I have learned a lot about it. Most of the time I can just sigh and exhale but sometimes when I read some story or cmment I just get so angry. I boil over and become enraged at the State Sponsored DISCRIMINATION in this country. This situation in Minnesota has me very angry as well as North Carolina’s move to cement DISCRIMINATION into their State Constituition today. Warren you are doing the right thing. You have a platform and an audience, use it! Mount up and lead the way.

  4. MIchael Bussee# ~ Sep 13, 2011 at 4:23 pm
    “And keep in mind that Exodus is against all bullying programs anyway, since Alan Chambers believes they are “tools to crush Christian evangelism”.”
    I was under the impression that Chambers has softened his stance on that after the rash of glbt suicides.

  5. It amazes me that these Christians are unable to apply the Mary Magdalene story to this situation. As we all know, Jesus intervened and risked his own life to save Magdalene from a violent mob. Now it is true that he admonished her to “go and sin no more” but he did so only after the mob had dispersed and Magdalene was safe. He did not berate Magdalene about her sex life while stones were hurtling toward her body, and he didn’t fret that protecting her from the mob might be seen as advancing a pro-prostitution agenda.
    So far as I know, not a single conservative Christian group has even briefly considered Jesus’ example in formulating its position and not a single Christian activist has publicly admitted to any doubt as to whether his approach is consistent with Christ’s example. If they can’t even draw upon such an obviously applicable example of Christ-like conduct, then they are beyond hope.
    I hope that Dr. Throckmorton will come to appreciate that his effort to infuse a sense of humanity or shame into these people is fruitless. If Jesus can’t do it, Throckmorton can’t either.

  6. Thought you should know that Janet Boynes was a para (like a teacher’s aid) in our school district up until recently and was working with students with learning challenges and other disabilities. She also once spoke before the school board (in disguise mind you – sunglasses and a hat) and said some pretty aweful stuff.
    This area up here is thick with cronyism and people playing pocket pool with one another. I’m so sick of it I plan on moving as soon as the housing market comes back even a smidgen.

  7. “M. Worrell# ~ Sep 13, 2011 at 11:46 am
    Could this not be addressed once and for all by simply having a blanket anti-bullying curriculum that teaches kids not to bully for any reason whatsoever?”
    Perhaps you should suggest that the parents of the eight students who committed suicide , I’m sure they would have an answer for the effectiveness of your suggestion.

  8. Professor Throckmorton, Let me begin with thanking you for your insight and willingness to share it. I am a parent in the Anoka-Hennepin school district, who has been frustrated with the power and authority given to MFC/PAL by not just “this” school board, but previous ones as well. I am confused as to how they are able to circumvent the law and inject their “rouge religious beliefs” on our district as a whole.
    I have been particulary bothered at the misrepresentation of not only christianity but also of science and their ability to convince people that they are the ones being victimized. I’ve had several back and forths with the “head of PAL” and even reached out to her personaly saying I was willing to help set a mediation and had a professional organization willing to do it, in hopes that us parents could put aside “our stuff” in hopes of improving things for all our kids. It was met with a flat out refusal to come to the table and a disingenous prayer for my good health.
    This rigid ideology is so frustating, but the fact that it’s infiltrated our “public” schools and curriculum is scary. Some of these folks will actually dismiss the existance of dinosaurs because they’re not mentioned in the bible, even when we have tangible proof they existed in museums across the world. Yet they will cling to something they’ve had preached to them, taken out of context and use it as a weapon to judge others in direct contradiction of the very text they quote. Sadly, we are expected to be able to reach some degree of middle ground with them? it’s just never going to happen.
    Which makes your wilingness to shine a light as well as those who are willing to tell the story so important because until now LGBTQ kids and those in favor of “equality” and “tolerance” have been left to feel that they are “less than” and don’t matter, which is so wrong. We now have an entire sub-section within our community of parents bound by a common thread….they’ve all lost kids to suicide. That should be enough of a reason for the schooboard to tell MFC/PAL, “While we respect your personal religious beliefs, they don’t belong in public school policy…period.”

  9. You should end your silence and communicate the real situation to these groups. Part of the reason they obstruct progress in addressing bullying is because of the distorted narrative you have helped to create.

    Warren, have you contacted Alan Chambers personally to make a direct appeal? It seemed to work when you were urging Exodus to take an official stand against the Ugandan Anti-homosexuality Bill. Perhaps it will work again…

  10. Tell the truth, Exodus!

    “You promote change as happening more frequently than it actually does, and I believe you know it… You should end your silence and communicate the real situation to these groups. Part of the reason they obstruct progress in addressing bullying is because of the distorted narrative you have helped to create.~ Warren Throckmorton

    “Transparently and humbly address the perception that you have lied about change.” ~ Wendy Gritter, Exodus Keynote address

  11. It is amazing the amount of now arcane and out-dated science an anti-gay group will gladly swallow to support their bigotry.

    Warren….. Why do PAL people think what they think? Many reasons probably, but the intellectual source nearly always comes back to NARTH or Exodus.

    There will always be some sort of intellectual source for holding a bigotry towards gay people. If not NARTH or Exodus, they will fall back to some other source, even those which have been thorougly debunked like Cameron. And if not Cameron, then there is always an ultimate and undeniable source for Christrians.

  12. As to your call for NARTH and Exodus to do the responsible thing, I fear it will fall on deaf ears. NARTH seems incapable of seeing how they do anything but good. The people there give new meaning to the term “rationalization.”
    As much as I consider the US to be a far to litigious a society. I think a lawsuit would be about the only way to get them to own up to their responsibilities in this matter.

  13. “I hope that there will be lines around the block and down the street,” he wrote in The Daily Beast.”
    Huckabee called the movie “life-changing” on his Fox News television show during an interview with director Lee Hirsch, and he promised to do everything he can to get people to theaters after seeing the stories of the bullying victims and being “profoundly moved by their plight.” Although Huckabee didn’t call out attacks based on perceived or actual sexual orientation, that does figure prominently in the movie, as students are called antigay slurs and one of the storylines focuses on a lesbian student faced with the prospect of dropping out of high school.”
    http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2012/03/30/Mike_Huckabee_Uses_Fox_Show_to_Call_on_Everyone_to_See_Bully/

  14. Warren,
    THANK YOU for writing this challenge to Exodus. Alan, Randy, etc., are you reading this? It is way past time to tell the truth in a way that is VERY clear. You know that you do not make the truth clear. Do you think lies honor God? Are you ready to face him one day and try to explain how you were helping him out by lying?

  15. Could this not be addressed once and for all by simply having a blanket anti-bullying curriculum that teaches kids not to bully for any reason whatsoever? Do we have to have a special emphasis on kids with bad teeth or funny-shaped heads?

  16. There are very sound reasons for addressing specific areas of intense bullying directly and by name. I’m sure Warren can explain or provide links, as this has been rehashed many times. There really isn’t any reasonable justification for avoiding the best practices.

  17. M. — If a school district found itself with a situation where kids routinely used a slur that designated a “funny shaped head” and kids with funny shaped head were called abominations because of the shapes of their heads and parent’s groups were convened to peddle outdated theories about why people had funny shaped heads and how those shapes could change if they really wanted to, then maybe you would agree that we should reassure people that whatever they personally believed about heads and their shapes, that even funny shaped head people should be treated well and with respect.

  18. I also believe that groups like NARTH and Exodus should take some responsibility for the information they promote. Speaking directly to NARTH and Exodus: Parent’s are obstructing the well being of children because of the information you disseminate. You promote change as happening more frequently than it actually does, and I believe you know it. Many people do decide to channel their actions in alignment with their beliefs, but it is infrequent that someone goes from gay to straight in attractions, fantasies and actions. You should end your silence and communicate the real situation to these groups. Part of the reason they obstruct progress in addressing bullying is because of the distorted narrative you have helped to create.

    Let them put that on their billboards — well said. What really disgusts me is that Exodus not only does not speak up and admit to wrongs like this, they insist that they never made the claims in the first place. It’s really nothing short of deceptive. NARTH, well what can be said about them that hasn’t already been said.

  19. “I hope that there will be lines around the block and down the street,” he wrote in The Daily Beast.”
    Huckabee called the movie “life-changing” on his Fox News television show during an interview with director Lee Hirsch, and he promised to do everything he can to get people to theaters after seeing the stories of the bullying victims and being “profoundly moved by their plight.” Although Huckabee didn’t call out attacks based on perceived or actual sexual orientation, that does figure prominently in the movie, as students are called antigay slurs and one of the storylines focuses on a lesbian student faced with the prospect of dropping out of high school.”
    http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2012/03/30/Mike_Huckabee_Uses_Fox_Show_to_Call_on_Everyone_to_See_Bully/

  20. Thought you should know that Janet Boynes was a para (like a teacher’s aid) in our school district up until recently and was working with students with learning challenges and other disabilities. She also once spoke before the school board (in disguise mind you – sunglasses and a hat) and said some pretty aweful stuff.
    This area up here is thick with cronyism and people playing pocket pool with one another. I’m so sick of it I plan on moving as soon as the housing market comes back even a smidgen.

  21. Interesting development. Are Exodus and NARTH parting ways?
    NARTH Absent from Relaunched Exodus Bookstore | Ex-Gay Watch

    Exodus International has relaunched its online bookstore at Exodusbooks.org, but some key titles are missing from the shelves.
    In particular, there appear to be no books by the notorious Dr Joseph Nicolosi, the father of ex-gay reparative therapy and former president of the National Association for the Research and Therapy of Homosexuality.

    http://www.exgaywatch.com/wp/2011/09/narth-absent-from-relaunched-exodus-bookstore/

  22. Interesting development. Are Exodus and NARTH parting ways?
    NARTH Absent from Relaunched Exodus Bookstore | Ex-Gay Watch

    Exodus International has relaunched its online bookstore at Exodusbooks.org, but some key titles are missing from the shelves.
    In particular, there appear to be no books by the notorious Dr Joseph Nicolosi, the father of ex-gay reparative therapy and former president of the National Association for the Research and Therapy of Homosexuality.

    http://www.exgaywatch.com/wp/2011/09/narth-absent-from-relaunched-exodus-bookstore/

  23. During the years from 2005 to 2007, IRS records show Exodus designated over $1 million for “various education programs and publications that explain how to change sexual orientation…”
    This period begins several years into Alan Chambers’ tenure as Exodus President, and covers what might be called their pinnacle. While those of us who study Exodus may not find this particularly startling, we must remember that they have vehemently denied ever having this as their goal. To have an official record stating those intentions is important. ~ David Roberts

  24. During the years from 2005 to 2007, IRS records show Exodus designated over $1 million for “various education programs and publications that explain how to change sexual orientation…”
    This period begins several years into Alan Chambers’ tenure as Exodus President, and covers what might be called their pinnacle. While those of us who study Exodus may not find this particularly startling, we must remember that they have vehemently denied ever having this as their goal. To have an official record stating those intentions is important. ~ David Roberts

  25. You should end your silence and communicate the real situation to these groups. Part of the reason they obstruct progress in addressing bullying is because of the distorted narrative you have helped to create.

    Warren, have you contacted Alan Chambers personally to make a direct appeal? It seemed to work when you were urging Exodus to take an official stand against the Ugandan Anti-homosexuality Bill. Perhaps it will work again…

  26. It amazes me that these Christians are unable to apply the Mary Magdalene story to this situation. As we all know, Jesus intervened and risked his own life to save Magdalene from a violent mob. Now it is true that he admonished her to “go and sin no more” but he did so only after the mob had dispersed and Magdalene was safe. He did not berate Magdalene about her sex life while stones were hurtling toward her body, and he didn’t fret that protecting her from the mob might be seen as advancing a pro-prostitution agenda.
    So far as I know, not a single conservative Christian group has even briefly considered Jesus’ example in formulating its position and not a single Christian activist has publicly admitted to any doubt as to whether his approach is consistent with Christ’s example. If they can’t even draw upon such an obviously applicable example of Christ-like conduct, then they are beyond hope.
    I hope that Dr. Throckmorton will come to appreciate that his effort to infuse a sense of humanity or shame into these people is fruitless. If Jesus can’t do it, Throckmorton can’t either.

  27. I also believe that groups like NARTH and Exodus should take some responsibility for the information they promote. Speaking directly to NARTH and Exodus: Parent’s are obstructing the well being of children because of the information you disseminate.

    My chest got tight when I read these words, what flashed accross my mind was, “Whoa, Warren has mounted up, he has taken the gloves off” We all should mount up and join him in any way that we can.
    Warren, I read that article in the NYT also and it turned my stomach. Made my stomach queezy, it really did and it made me angry. I follow politics and religion as it applies to people who are gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transgender, and I have learned a lot about it. Most of the time I can just sigh and exhale but sometimes when I read some story or cmment I just get so angry. I boil over and become enraged at the State Sponsored DISCRIMINATION in this country. This situation in Minnesota has me very angry as well as North Carolina’s move to cement DISCRIMINATION into their State Constituition today. Warren you are doing the right thing. You have a platform and an audience, use it! Mount up and lead the way.

  28. MIchael Bussee# ~ Sep 13, 2011 at 4:23 pm
    “And keep in mind that Exodus is against all bullying programs anyway, since Alan Chambers believes they are “tools to crush Christian evangelism”.”
    I was under the impression that Chambers has softened his stance on that after the rash of glbt suicides.

  29. And keep in mind that Exodus is against all bullying programs anyway, since Alan Chambers believes they are “tools to crush Christian evangelism”.

  30. Tell the truth, Exodus!

    “You promote change as happening more frequently than it actually does, and I believe you know it… You should end your silence and communicate the real situation to these groups. Part of the reason they obstruct progress in addressing bullying is because of the distorted narrative you have helped to create.~ Warren Throckmorton

    “Transparently and humbly address the perception that you have lied about change.” ~ Wendy Gritter, Exodus Keynote address

  31. It is amazing the amount of now arcane and out-dated science an anti-gay group will gladly swallow to support their bigotry.

    Warren….. Why do PAL people think what they think? Many reasons probably, but the intellectual source nearly always comes back to NARTH or Exodus.

    There will always be some sort of intellectual source for holding a bigotry towards gay people. If not NARTH or Exodus, they will fall back to some other source, even those which have been thorougly debunked like Cameron. And if not Cameron, then there is always an ultimate and undeniable source for Christrians.

  32. Professor Throckmorton, Let me begin with thanking you for your insight and willingness to share it. I am a parent in the Anoka-Hennepin school district, who has been frustrated with the power and authority given to MFC/PAL by not just “this” school board, but previous ones as well. I am confused as to how they are able to circumvent the law and inject their “rouge religious beliefs” on our district as a whole.
    I have been particulary bothered at the misrepresentation of not only christianity but also of science and their ability to convince people that they are the ones being victimized. I’ve had several back and forths with the “head of PAL” and even reached out to her personaly saying I was willing to help set a mediation and had a professional organization willing to do it, in hopes that us parents could put aside “our stuff” in hopes of improving things for all our kids. It was met with a flat out refusal to come to the table and a disingenous prayer for my good health.
    This rigid ideology is so frustating, but the fact that it’s infiltrated our “public” schools and curriculum is scary. Some of these folks will actually dismiss the existance of dinosaurs because they’re not mentioned in the bible, even when we have tangible proof they existed in museums across the world. Yet they will cling to something they’ve had preached to them, taken out of context and use it as a weapon to judge others in direct contradiction of the very text they quote. Sadly, we are expected to be able to reach some degree of middle ground with them? it’s just never going to happen.
    Which makes your wilingness to shine a light as well as those who are willing to tell the story so important because until now LGBTQ kids and those in favor of “equality” and “tolerance” have been left to feel that they are “less than” and don’t matter, which is so wrong. We now have an entire sub-section within our community of parents bound by a common thread….they’ve all lost kids to suicide. That should be enough of a reason for the schooboard to tell MFC/PAL, “While we respect your personal religious beliefs, they don’t belong in public school policy…period.”

  33. As to your call for NARTH and Exodus to do the responsible thing, I fear it will fall on deaf ears. NARTH seems incapable of seeing how they do anything but good. The people there give new meaning to the term “rationalization.”
    As much as I consider the US to be a far to litigious a society. I think a lawsuit would be about the only way to get them to own up to their responsibilities in this matter.

  34. “M. Worrell# ~ Sep 13, 2011 at 11:46 am
    Could this not be addressed once and for all by simply having a blanket anti-bullying curriculum that teaches kids not to bully for any reason whatsoever?”
    Perhaps you should suggest that the parents of the eight students who committed suicide , I’m sure they would have an answer for the effectiveness of your suggestion.

  35. I also believe that groups like NARTH and Exodus should take some responsibility for the information they promote. Speaking directly to NARTH and Exodus: Parent’s are obstructing the well being of children because of the information you disseminate. You promote change as happening more frequently than it actually does, and I believe you know it. Many people do decide to channel their actions in alignment with their beliefs, but it is infrequent that someone goes from gay to straight in attractions, fantasies and actions. You should end your silence and communicate the real situation to these groups. Part of the reason they obstruct progress in addressing bullying is because of the distorted narrative you have helped to create.

    Thanks for saying this so clearly. I pray they listen to you.

  36. Is anyone attempting to challenge PAL and their cohorts on this? I hope someone is pushing back. Is there any way we can help?

  37. Warren,
    THANK YOU for writing this challenge to Exodus. Alan, Randy, etc., are you reading this? It is way past time to tell the truth in a way that is VERY clear. You know that you do not make the truth clear. Do you think lies honor God? Are you ready to face him one day and try to explain how you were helping him out by lying?

  38. Hmm,
    If it were Christian students being bullied because of their percieved belief in Christ I wonder if PAL would still claim that the problem was the people being bullied .. not the bullies. .. and that what the Christians really needed was to change their belief system .. that their belief in Christ was what was making them depressed. I really doubt it.
    @M. Worrell … Your solution sounds nice but it is likely that Christian groups such as the one mentioined above would never allow such a simple solution. They would look on it as affirming and insist that true happiness means changing one’s moral view to match up with their change agenda … with the presumption that being gay=being depressed. It is one thing to have a moral view and/or moral practice.. it is quite another to assume that a person’s emotional state is always directly linked to that view. People down through the ages both in the Bible and to present day have wondered why those who do wrong (in their eyes) may still propser and be happy and those who do right (in their eyes) may not prosper or be happy. Even without the faulty exgay rhetoric their position is questionable and certainly not somehting that I as a Christian would support.
    I find it saddening that the biggest agenda coming from Christian groups is this idea that these kids are broken and need fixed. With the exception of the Golden Rule Pledge I have not seen any Christian programs that advocate a program or attitude that actually addresses the attitude of the bullies (or the Christian wannabe’s that have forgotten the simple rule of treating others the way you would want to be treated).
    I realize that public schools are a place where multiple groups with multiple beliefs are pushing to have their influence on the hearts and minds of children. So I doubt that any one group is ever going to feel that their view is adequately or fairly represented. What I think Christians often forget is that public schools are not church .. but are .. instead … a place that (along with providing a scholarly education) help students to realize the diversity of the world they live in (not necessarily a Christian world view).
    Dave

  39. M. — If a school district found itself with a situation where kids routinely used a slur that designated a “funny shaped head” and kids with funny shaped head were called abominations because of the shapes of their heads and parent’s groups were convened to peddle outdated theories about why people had funny shaped heads and how those shapes could change if they really wanted to, then maybe you would agree that we should reassure people that whatever they personally believed about heads and their shapes, that even funny shaped head people should be treated well and with respect.

  40. I also believe that groups like NARTH and Exodus should take some responsibility for the information they promote. Speaking directly to NARTH and Exodus: Parent’s are obstructing the well being of children because of the information you disseminate. You promote change as happening more frequently than it actually does, and I believe you know it. Many people do decide to channel their actions in alignment with their beliefs, but it is infrequent that someone goes from gay to straight in attractions, fantasies and actions. You should end your silence and communicate the real situation to these groups. Part of the reason they obstruct progress in addressing bullying is because of the distorted narrative you have helped to create.

    Let them put that on their billboards — well said. What really disgusts me is that Exodus not only does not speak up and admit to wrongs like this, they insist that they never made the claims in the first place. It’s really nothing short of deceptive. NARTH, well what can be said about them that hasn’t already been said.

  41. There are very sound reasons for addressing specific areas of intense bullying directly and by name. I’m sure Warren can explain or provide links, as this has been rehashed many times. There really isn’t any reasonable justification for avoiding the best practices.

  42. Could this not be addressed once and for all by simply having a blanket anti-bullying curriculum that teaches kids not to bully for any reason whatsoever? Do we have to have a special emphasis on kids with bad teeth or funny-shaped heads?

  43. I also believe that groups like NARTH and Exodus should take some responsibility for the information they promote. Speaking directly to NARTH and Exodus: Parent’s are obstructing the well being of children because of the information you disseminate. You promote change as happening more frequently than it actually does, and I believe you know it. Many people do decide to channel their actions in alignment with their beliefs, but it is infrequent that someone goes from gay to straight in attractions, fantasies and actions. You should end your silence and communicate the real situation to these groups. Part of the reason they obstruct progress in addressing bullying is because of the distorted narrative you have helped to create.

    Thanks for saying this so clearly. I pray they listen to you.

  44. Is anyone attempting to challenge PAL and their cohorts on this? I hope someone is pushing back. Is there any way we can help?

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