Disney Battles Group Seeking Protection for Ex-Gays

[mickeysaver]

Disney battles group seeking protection for ex-gays (click this link to see original story)​

A controversial group is asking Walt Disney Co. (DIS) shareholders to vote for a proposal to adopt non-discrimination language against "ex-gays" at the company's annual meeting in March. Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays & Gays, or PFOX, says Disney's exclusion of "ex-gay" language from the company's employment policies and diversity training discriminates against those who choose to "leave" homosexuality, according to a preliminary filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

PFOX says Disney's policies supports gays, lesbians, and bisexuals but excludes support of ex-gays. The Group says the addendum is necessary because "ex-gays and their supporters are subject to an increasingly hostile environment because they live out or support a different view of homosexuality," according to the filing.

A Change of Orientation

Disney is urging shareholders to vote against the proposal, telling investors in the filing that its policies "provide broad and appropriate protection against discrimination based on sexual orientation" and saying it would be inappropriate to amend its policy "to address the specific situation." Reached by phone, Disney declined further comment, saying it stands by its comments contained within the proxy statement.

The concept PFOX supports -- "reparative therapy," by which gays and lesbians supposedly become attracted to the opposite sex through prayer and therapy -- has shown little evidence of success, according to the American Psychological Association. The APA issued a statement in August saying that rigorous scientific studies have shown "that sexual orientation was unlikely to change due to efforts designed for this purpose."

An Absurd Proposal?

PFOX's proposal is absurd, said Wayne Bessen, executive director of Truth Wins Out, a nonprofit watchdog that monitors groups supporting reparative therapy. PFOX, Bessen says, is a religious group that's asking Disney to prohibit discrimination against a group of people for something they're not, he said. Moreover, Bessen said, as straight people, ex-gays couldn't be discriminated against under Disney's current policies.

The proposal made its way onto the filing after the SEC said the proposal should be allowed to be considered by shareholders despite Disney's objections. "What the [SEC] has said is that Disney must let this shareholder resolution go forward" and be voted upon, said Daryl Herrschaft, director of the workplace project at the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, a civil-rights organization.

Herrschaft called the plan to amend Disney's policies "wrongheaded" but added that such efforts aren't unusual. There have been cases in which conservative, anti-gay groups have put forth shareholder resolutions to remove protections based on sexual orientation contained within company policies, he said. Still, PFOX's effort is novel in that it seeks to add a class of people.

Disney, based in Burbank, Calif., is among 305 companies that have earned a perfect score under HRC's 2010 Corporate Equality Index, a measure of employment policies that extend benefits to and prohibit discrimination against gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender workers. The entertainment company has earned a score of 100 for the past four years by adhering to such objectives as offering domestic-partner benefits and using inclusive language in marketing and promotional materials.

 

[SandrA9810]

What the hell is that all about?? It doesn't even make any sense. Sounds like some one wanting to make a big deal over nothing. It's not like disney excludes hetrosexuals... which is what an "ex-gay" would be, right?

 

[Hydani]

Wow. Are they serious?

"The concept PFOX supports -- "reparative therapy," by which gays and lesbians supposedly become attracted to the opposite sex through prayer and therapy -- has shown little evidence of success, according to the American Psychological Association.""

That's crazy.... People that are "ex-gays" are heterosexual.... Not many people discriminate against them...

 

[PrincessKsMom]

This proposal makes me sick. It's simply a cover for hatred. WTH is up with the "reparative therapy" and leaving homosexuality? Makes it sound like it's a sickness that needs repairing or a cult that needs leaving. Bigots have just found a new way of pushing their agenda.

 

[PrincessKsMom]

Wow. Are they serious?

"The concept PFOX supports -- "reparative therapy," by which gays and lesbians supposedly become attracted to the opposite sex through prayer and therapy -- has shown little evidence of success, according to the American Psychological Association.""

That's crazy.... People that are "ex-gays" are heterosexual.... Not many people discriminate against them...

It's just my opinion, but I don't think there is such a thing as being "ex-gay". I think it's just suppressing your true self.

 

[mickeysaver]

Well, this is the story off of the PFOX site.

January 13, 2010

Contact: Regina Griggs
Executive Director, Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays & Gays (PFOX)
804-453-4737 PFOX@pfox.org

Disney Ordered to Include Ex-Gays in Shareholder Resolution
Burbank, CA -- The Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) has directed the Walt Disney Company to accept a shareholder resolution requesting the inclusion of ex-gays in Disney’s sexual orientation policies and corporate diversity programs. Disney had opposed the ex-gay resolution and asked the SEC for permission to exclude it from stockholder consideration.
“Like many corporations, Disney implements mandatory diversity training for employees that emphasizes gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgenders, but fails to include ex-gays,” said Regina Griggs, executive director of Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays & Gays (PFOX). “It is a serious omission both for the ex-gay community and their supporters.”
“Employees who support the ex-gay community are not welcomed to express their views and fear they would be forced to undergo sensitivity training because they support former homosexuals,” said Griggs. “Ex-gays are forced to remain closeted because they are not protected by diversity policies and are subjected to open disapproval by others in the workplace. The inclusion of ex-gays will cost Disney nothing to implement and would provide true diversity and respect in the workplace.”

The resolution cites a recent judicial decision issued by the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. In that case, brought by PFOX, the Court ruled that former homosexuals are a protected class that must be recognized under DC’s sexual orientation non-discrimination laws. The Court held that sexual orientation does not require immutable characteristics.
“Disney should treat ex-gays and their friends with the respect they deserve,” said Bobbie Strobhar, the stockholder who submitted the shareholder resolution. “We need more of these resolutions nationwide to assure tolerance and safety in the workplace for the ex-gay community and their supporters.”
###

 

[glenpreece]

OMG that is crazy!!!

 

[mickeyfan1]

Well, I won't be voting for it. I don't see the whole issue, except perhaps that the more militant "ex=Gays" would attempt to bully gays at meetings, or in passing, indicationg that they need to seek therapy, etc. By becoming a protected class, they could do so with out fear of reprisal.

I think Anne Heche is an ex gay?

 

[enigmaMN]

Wouldn't "ex-gays" be "heterosexuals" AKA the majority? The laws/regulations are designed to protect the minority. AKA.. majority rules, minority rights. This is absurd. I wonder if I can squeeze another AKA in there... ooops I just did!

 

[rpmdfw]

Seems to me that this thread is potentially way to political and/or religious for the DIS.

Way too much room for controversy.

We used to be able to talk about this stuff, but not anymore.

I'm surprised that someone hasn't reported it yet.

 

[mickeysaver]

It's a Disney topic. It's a gay topic. It's even a currently topical topic.

If it was wrong to post it, I am willing to take the points. I meant no harm, but I felt that others here might want to know that this was happening.

Until the time that the thread is potentially locked or poofed, it's fair game, I suppose.

 

[disneymom3]

This proposal makes me sick. It's simply a cover for hatred. WTH is up with the "reparative therapy" and leaving homosexuality? Makes it sound like it's a sickness that needs repairing or a cult that needs leaving. Bigots have just found a new way of pushing their agenda.

I don't regularly post on this board but the thread title caught my eye on the main page. I strongly agree with the highlighted. "Leaving"....like it's a location or somewhere you have been kept against your will. That is just so bizarre.

And even beyond the idea of the"reparitive therapy" how on earth could this group need to be singled out for protection? Someone is trying to get their cause some attention by creating controversy, if you ask me.

 

[jharrowell]

Ugh!

I find it offiensive that they try and make being gay sound like a choice and not a fundamental part of who we are. I mean who of us woke up one morning and thought "I think I'll try and be gay this morning, you never know I might like it!" Sheesh!

Ex-gay.... I find it hard not to laugh at the concept. Is it the diffrenece between an non-smoker and an ex-smoker? (In that the ex-smoker is usually a much more rabbid anti-smoking lobbier than a non-smoker).

Ok, I'll leave it that before I start saying things that I shouldn't on a forum...

 

[sullyandsid]

Wow what a post - today I have decided to be EX Gay - tomorrow might be different though!!!!

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

Well, nothing more worthwhile to add here, other than yes, this is simply another form of hatred, legitimized. And there is nothing simple about it.

So then, those who came to understand that they are gay late in life, are they gay or ex-heterosexuals? If they are ex-hets then they too need support, yes?

Backlash, pure and evil. As we inch slowly toward civil liberties for all, there is and will be this sort of backlash. History repeats itself. Same garbage, different discriminatory group.

 

[TuckandStuiesMom]

 

[zulemara]

I'm offended at this group as well. I agree it's just a tactic to recruit and fight the gay population within disney without fear of backlash from the company. I have faith Disney and its stockholders will do the right thing.
Nonetheless, I'm plastering this all over facebook

 

[npmommie]

I don't understand what an Ex Gay is?
I don't believe a person who is gay can "become" heterosexual, just like the other way around.
you are what you are, whether you are true to yourself that is another story.