Gays Attack African-American for Coming Out of Homosexuality

News Advisory: October 26, 2007
Contact: Regina Griggs, Director, Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays & Gays (PFOX)
804-453-4737 PFOX@pfox.org www.pfox.org

Gay Groups Attack African-American for Coming Out of Homosexuality

Ex-Gay Organization Calls for Gay Activists to Stop Promoting Hatred Against Former Homosexuals in Obama Presidential Campaign

Washington DC -- Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays & Gays (PFOX) has called on gay activists to end their attacks against Donnie McClurkin, an African-American gospel singer and former homosexual. Mr. McClurkin is a Grammy Award winner who is using his singing voice to participate in gospel concerts to raise funds for Sen. Barack Obama’s presidential campaign. Some gay activists are demanding that Sen. Obama drop McClurkin from the singing tour.

“Ex-gays have the same right to participate in the political process as other Americans and should not have to endure this type of abuse because they chose to leave homosexuality,” said Regina Griggs, PFOX executive director. “Gay rights groups demand hate crimes laws and sexual orientation non-discrimination legislation, but would deny the same protection to ex-gays who want full inclusion in society at the same level that gays currently enjoy.”

“This irrational behavior towards those who have overcome unwanted same-sex attractions perpetuates misunderstanding and harm against ex-gays. It also demonstrates a disregard for diversity and a refusal to respect a basic human right to dignity and self-determination,” said Griggs.

“It is ironic that gay activists, who used the African-American civil rights movement to win their own homosexual rights, have turned against African-Americans who no longer want to engage in homosexuality,” said Griggs.

“Yet many in the African-American community, especially Black churches, support the ex-gay community. PFOX has spoken at Black churches and exhibited at African-American conferences, including the NAACP and Congressional Black Caucus. The support PFOX has received from the African-American community is tremendous.”

PFOX urges gay organizations to show the same kind of compassion and acceptance of ex-gays that African-Americans have shown. “Gay groups must stop promoting discrimination against former homosexuals,” said Griggs. “Gay activists cannot claim sympathy as victims when they victimize others.”

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PFOX leads the nation in providing outreach, education, and public awareness in support of families and the ex-gay community. They can be reached via their website at www.pfox.org