Parents and Friends of Ex-gays and Gays (PFOX) is celebrating after settling a lawsuit with an Arlington, Va., school district. The group will be allowed to distribute fliers to middle school students with the message that change is possible for people who are dissatisfied with living homosexually.
The Arlington County Schools had refused to allow PFOX to send home or post the fliers, even though other groups were allowed that privilege, including gay organizations. That’s when the Christian Legal Society (CLS) and Alliance Defense Fund stepped in, prompting the school district to settle.
Timothy Tracey with CLS said PFOX now can get important information into the hands of students.
“I think this is a definite victory for the First Amendment," he said. "It's Arlington County Schools recognizing its obligation to the First Amendment to treat community groups evenhandedly.”
Regina Griggs, executive director of PFOX, said her group will also be allowed to send representatives to talk with students.
“We wanted access and our information made available not only in Arlington, but in numerous school districts where information that is not gay-affirming is rejected," she told Family News in Focus. “People who have unwanted same-sex attractions can overcome them.”
