Working to eliminate intolerance and discrimination against ex-gay students, teachers, and their supporters

2008 NEA Representative Assembly Meets in Washington, D.C.

The 2008 NEA Representative Assembly met in Washington, D.C. , July 1-July 6. This year’s theme was “Team NEA. Commitment. Courage. Power.” As always, it was truly amazing to see 9,000 delegates discuss, debate, and make decisions affecting education.

This year the first NEA Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Open Hearing was held. Unfortunately, currently the ex-gay perspective is not represented on the newly formed NEA Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Committee. Another area of concern to me was that while I was attending the various pre-conference meetings, I became ever more aware of the ex-gay voice being silenced by the inappropriate use of the term “homophobe”. The American Psychiatric Association’s definition of phobia explains that it involves an extreme dread and avoidance of the object of the phobia. It seems to me that healthy dialogue spoken with respect and love are the coveted trademarks of American society and is a part of what keeps our country healthy and great.

On a more positive note, during the pre-conference Expo, the NEA Ex-Gay Educator’s Caucus did have a booth in which we were able to give out 483 pieces of literature, as well as talk with numerous people about the our caucus beliefs and goals, and answer questions the visitors had.

Susan Halvorson
NEA Ex-Gay Educators’ Caucus Chair

Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness

July 6, 2007

PHILADELPHIA PA – As the National Education Association met in Philadelphia June 30- July 5, 2007, to do union business and to celebrate 150 years of its existence, the celebration of freedom rang out. Or did it? Currently the GLBT message that you are born that way, you can’t change, and if you try to change it will be harmful is one of the messages that rings the loudest.

In response to the GLBT message, the NEA Ex-Gay Educators Caucus was founded in 2004 by Jeralee Smith, former lesbian. The purpose of the caucus is to work within the NEA to make policy changes to ensure that the Ex-Gay voice is heard. In her own quest of happiness, Jeralee, for a number of years could find no support in dealing with her unwanted same-sex attraction. Because of this dilemma, she started the caucus believing that youth deserve to hear all the information, and deserve a safe environment and support to pursue their own happiness.

At this year’s NEA Ex-Gay Expo booth at the convention, 494 pieces of literature were given out and many people were able to hear the ex-gay message that “Change Is Possible” and “We are here to support you in that decision.” Although the voice is not nearly strong enough, we are hoping that before long that message will ring out loud and clear.

If you are an NEA member who is an ex-gay, and you would like more information on the caucus or on becoming a delegate to next year’s NEA representative assembly, please contact NEA Ex-Gay Educators Caucus chair, Susan Halvorson, at 888-532-4678.

Together let’s make sure that, as the GLBT message is heard, the ex-gay voice is heard as well so that people can truly make their own decisions in their pursuit of happiness.

Contact: Sue Halvorson, Chair, NEA Ex-Gay Educators Caucus

"THE VIEWS EXPRESSED IN THIS DOCUMENT ARE THOSE OF THE CAUCUS. THE CAUCUS HAS NO AUTHORITY TO SPEAK FOR, OR ACT ON BEHALF OF, NEA."