In Brief

Staff Reports

Maryland Schools Superintendent Calls Ex-Gay Fliers Reprehensible

ROCKVILLE, MARYLAND -- Montgomery County, Maryland schools superintendent Joshua Starr, called fliers sent home with students from five of the county's high schools claiming that homosexuality is a choice that can be changed "reprehensible and deplorable. In a town hall style meeting held Tuesday at Thomas Wootton High School, Starr told students and faculty that the school district's hands were tied after a 2006 court ruling that prevents district officials from choosing who can distribute information to students. Starr also said that non-profit organisations are allowed to distribute fliers four times per school year. "We can't really do much about it unless we wanted to cut off all flier distribution, which is an option," he said.

Last week, the anti-gay organisation, Parents and Friends of Gays,(PFOX) sent a flyer home with students from Wootton, Albert Einstein, Poolesville, Damascus, and Rich Montgomery high schools that stated; "Those with unwanted same-sex attractions can seek help and information on overcoming their [homosexual] feelings." Superintendent Starr observed, "This group has figured out how to use that law to spread what I find to be a really, really disgusting message, frankly."

According to Peter Sprigg, a member of PFOX's board of directors and a spokesperson for The Family Research Council- a Southern Poverty Law Center listed hate group- told reporters from local television stations that students would be receiving more similar fliers in April.

"We know that many adolescents experience confusion about sexual identity- that's a normal part of growing up Sprigg said. "Some experience same-sex attraction as something unwanted to them, and we want to ensure those kids do not have to adopt a permanent fixed identity at this point in life."

A large number of parents and students were outraged by the contents of the fliers, which said, in part: "Every year thousands of people with unwanted same-sex attractions make the personal decision to leave the gay identity [...]"

In response to Starr's remarks Tuesday, Regina Griggs, executive director of PFOX said Thursday:

"We call on the Montgomery County Board of Education to enforce its Nondiscrimination Policy and censure Superintendent Starr immediately. The Policy mandates that schools provide 'an atmosphere where differences are understood and appreciated, and where all persons are treated fairly and with respect in an environment free of discrimination and ... abuse.' Clearly Starr has violated the Board's Policy.

Starr's verbal abuse, disrespectful behavior, and slurs against the ex-gay community amount to hate and illegal sexual orientation discrimination, which are all forbidden by the Policy. Starr does not respect diversity and is creating an unsafe school environment," said Griggs.

Montgomery County schools sexual education curriculum teaches students that there is a growing amount of scientific consensus and data that sexual orientation is an immutable characteristic.

Atlanta Police Chief: Investigators ID Suspects In Viral Beating Of 20 Year Old Gay Man

Brandon White

ATLANTA, GEORGIA -- In an emergency public safety meeting held Thursday by the Pittsburgh Community Improvement Association, Atlanta's Police Chief George Turner said police have identified suspects in a videotaped attack of a gay man leaving a convenience store on McDaniel Street in the southwest Atlanta neighborhood. "We've identified two of the three individuals, and we're working on warrants," Turner said.

Around 70 community members gathered to discuss solutions for what they see as a problem with crime and violence that centers around the store at 1029 McDaniel Street, where 20-year-old Brandon White was beaten.

White's attackers yelled anti-gay slurs during the beating Saturday. The video of the beating was posted online and had gone viral.

Mayor Kasim Reed put up a $10,000 reward today for anyone who leads to the arrests of the assailants, doubling it from a $5,000 award he announced yesterday.

White said that because the gang members decided to upload the video to WorldStarHipHop.com early this week, where it was picked up by The Smoking Gun and went viral, he felt it was his responsibility to share his story. The undated video was posted with the headline, "Dead Wrong: Man Wearing Skinny Jeans Gets Sucker Attacked & G'z Throw a Tire On Him for Being Gay."

“Jack City, no faggots,” a man says at the start of the video. “Jack City” is an apparent reference to a street gang.

“By them going public, I feel they wanted the attention,” White said.

He said the gang members apparently wanted to show how “brave” they were in a three-against-one attack. He also said he has seen the video of his attack and described it as “very, very brutal.”

“In my opinion, I'm the brave one,” he said to applause.

White said he did not know he was being videotaped when he was attacked leaving the convenience store on McDaniel Street in the Pittsburgh community. The store is a well-known haven for crime, according to White as well as other residents of the neighborhood. A push is being made to shut it down.

White said he heard them shouting “faggot” at him repeatedly but did not know any of his assailants. ~ The Georgia Voice

“I want justice served,” he said. “I shouldn’t have to look over my shoulder just because I’m gay,” White told reporters during a news conference Wednesday. “Who’s to say they won’t try to come after me again? Who can say they won’t try to kill me?”

The Georgia Voice is also reporting that the U.S. Attorney's Office is investigating the attack as a possible hate crime. Because Georgia is one of five states without a state hate crime law, the attackers would have to be prosecuted under the federal statute, the Byrd-Shepherd Hate Crimes Act. Some activists are urging lawmakers to see this attack as a need to call for Georgia to pass a state hate crimes law.