What Award?
There is some ambiguity about this award nomination announcement, you might say. First the press release, from PFOX:
Peter Sprigg, you should know, is the Senior Fellow for Research Studies at the Family Research Council. I consider him to be one of the more dangerous nuts in our county, because he is a smooth talker with a sophisticated speaking style, if you don't go back and look up his citations you might believe he is citing actual research. He is a high-profile anti-gay and anti-transgender professional.
I once heard Sprigg announce in a speech that he himself is not "ex-gay." He referred to himself as an "everstraight," whatever that is supposed to mean. Even so, he was appointed in 2005 to serve on the Montgomery County Public Schools' Citizens Advisory Committee for Family Life and Human Development as the representative of PFOX (Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays and Gays, which should be PFOX-GAG), as part of a legal settlement agreement. I was, for four years, the Teach the Facts representative. This summer our appointments ran out and MCPS granted a special exemption to Peter Sprigg to allow him to remain on the committee, now as a private citizen, not representing any group.
PFOX exists to convince gay people that they can and should stop being gay. They incessantly talk about "former homosexuals," as in this press release, as if people can decide to change their sexual orientation. They talk about the "ex-gay community," as they do here, implying that such a community exists. Their big assertion is that "ex-gays" are discriminated against by the rest of us. In reality PFOX is a sad organization headed by a woman with a gay son. Even the other "ex-gay" groups dissociate themselves from PFOX, it is an extremist organization grounded in a dream world of bitterness and disappointment.
Besides re-appointing Peter Sprigg to the citizens committee after his term had expired, MCPS sends PFOX flyers home with schoolchildren four times a year.
But here's the question: what-in-the-world "award" is this?
I think what is happening here is that PFOX is nominating one of their directors for an award that they themselves will give him, making this not only circular but a very tight circle. Peter Sprigg is essentially giving himself an award.
It looks like this meaningless press release has been propagated, according to Google, to a couple hundred web sites so far. Granted, a couple -- Pam, Alvin -- are critical, but most simply copied the whole thing and published it.
[Update: Alvin McEwen wrote to PFOX's Regina Griggs, who told him that Peter Sprigg was nominated for the Montgomery County, MD Public School's Award for Distinguished Service to Public Education.]
PFOX Director Nominated for Award for Distinguished Service to Public Education
Contact: Regina Griggs, Executive Director, Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays & Gays (PFOX), 804-453-4737, PFOX@pfox.org
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Maryland, Aug. 4 /Christian Newswire/ -- Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays & Gays (PFOX) has nominated Peter Sprigg for recognition of his service to public school education in Montgomery County, Maryland.
As a member of the Board of Directors of PFOX, Sprigg represents the ex-gay community and families of same-sex attracted children before the Montgomery County, Maryland, Board of Education.
For the past four years, Mr. Sprigg has served on the school board's Citizens Advisory Committee on Family Life and Human Development. The 15-member Committee consults with professional educators within the public school system in developing and evaluating the student sex education curriculum.
Mr. Sprigg has spoken out in favor of including former homosexuals in the county's "Respect for Differences in Human Sexuality" school lessons. These lessons promote tolerance of homosexuals, lesbians, bisexuals, transgenders, cross-dressers, and the intersexed, yet failed to include ex-gays, which is the only disfavored group within the public school system. Without Sprigg, the ex-gay community and parents would not have a voice in the public schools.
Mr. Sprigg also enabled public school staff to promote a positive learning environment that holds mutual respect for others by participating in PFOX's flyer distribution program. PFOX distributed flyers to every high school student in the Montgomery County public schools urging the elimination of bias and prejudice against former homosexuals and their supporters. Students also received factual information on sexual orientation and resources on alternatives to homosexuality.
PFOX congratulates Peter Sprigg for his groundbreaking achievements in the public school system.
Visit pfox.org/about_us.html for information about the ex-gay community.
Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays & Gays (PFOX) promotes an inclusive environment for the ex-gay community, and educates youth with factual information about same-sex attractions.
Peter Sprigg, you should know, is the Senior Fellow for Research Studies at the Family Research Council. I consider him to be one of the more dangerous nuts in our county, because he is a smooth talker with a sophisticated speaking style, if you don't go back and look up his citations you might believe he is citing actual research. He is a high-profile anti-gay and anti-transgender professional.
I once heard Sprigg announce in a speech that he himself is not "ex-gay." He referred to himself as an "everstraight," whatever that is supposed to mean. Even so, he was appointed in 2005 to serve on the Montgomery County Public Schools' Citizens Advisory Committee for Family Life and Human Development as the representative of PFOX (Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays and Gays, which should be PFOX-GAG), as part of a legal settlement agreement. I was, for four years, the Teach the Facts representative. This summer our appointments ran out and MCPS granted a special exemption to Peter Sprigg to allow him to remain on the committee, now as a private citizen, not representing any group.
PFOX exists to convince gay people that they can and should stop being gay. They incessantly talk about "former homosexuals," as in this press release, as if people can decide to change their sexual orientation. They talk about the "ex-gay community," as they do here, implying that such a community exists. Their big assertion is that "ex-gays" are discriminated against by the rest of us. In reality PFOX is a sad organization headed by a woman with a gay son. Even the other "ex-gay" groups dissociate themselves from PFOX, it is an extremist organization grounded in a dream world of bitterness and disappointment.
Besides re-appointing Peter Sprigg to the citizens committee after his term had expired, MCPS sends PFOX flyers home with schoolchildren four times a year.
But here's the question: what-in-the-world "award" is this?
I think what is happening here is that PFOX is nominating one of their directors for an award that they themselves will give him, making this not only circular but a very tight circle. Peter Sprigg is essentially giving himself an award.
It looks like this meaningless press release has been propagated, according to Google, to a couple hundred web sites so far. Granted, a couple -- Pam, Alvin -- are critical, but most simply copied the whole thing and published it.
[Update: Alvin McEwen wrote to PFOX's Regina Griggs, who told him that Peter Sprigg was nominated for the Montgomery County, MD Public School's Award for Distinguished Service to Public Education.]
posted by JimK at 12:23 PM
24 Comments:
It's just another "honor" he can add to his already suspect list of "achievements". There is no end to this man's ego...his glib, slippery tongue belies his evil intents and, unfortunately the B.O.E. has bought into his "charm" as a qualification for his "teaching" the world about the glories of "Ex-Gay" life.
What a farce!!
Venus
Congrats on the nomination and the re-appointment, Peter.
And thanks for all your work standing up for the oppressed in Montgomery County.
Your dedication is appreciated!
Sounds like you are jealous no one nominated you and you didn’t get reappointed so you start bad mouthing Peter to make yourself feel better.
That was uncalled for.
rrjr
Robert,
Would you like to congratulate Peter?
It is worth noting that two other members of the Advisory Committee were given exemptions: Dr. Carol Plotsky (who has been, and will continue to be, Chair), and Elinor Walker (who has been, and will continue to be, Vice Chair). Some degree of continuity is a good thing, and Dr. Plotsky and Ms. Walker have been excellent members of the Committee. Notably, Ruth Jacobs of Citizens for a Responsible Curriculum was not granted an exemption.
I know this may disappoint Anon, but the Board also appointed TTF Co-Founder Christine Grewell and Candice Haaga (who is a member of the Metro DC Chapter of PFLAG).
The advantage, I suppose, of having Peter Sprigg on the Committee is that it gives the other members a preview of the right-wing party line. (Jim is right: You have to examine closely everything he says and examine any "authority" his cites.)
As long as Peter does not engage in the kind of obstructionist tactics that his allies sought to use in years past, his presence is not a problem. In dealing with public policy, there is no reason not to listen to many sides -- as long as no one acts like the shouters at the current Congressional recess town hall meetings. I have never seen Peter behave in such a manner.
Also, it appears that PFOX conveniently omits the fact that Peter has been remarkably unsuccessful in convincing his fellow Committee members or the Board of Education or the MCPS staff to follow the fringe views of PFOX and of his employer, the Family Research Council.
Congratulate him for what? Almost every idea he proposed during his time on the committee was voted down.
This summer our appointments ran out and MCPS granted a special exemption to Peter Sprigg to allow him to remain on the committee, now as a private citizen, not representing any group.
Why was a special exemption granted to keep Peter Sprigg on the CAC? Funny coming from a group that eschews "special rights" for people, except their own, apparently.
I once heard Sprigg announce in a speech that he himself is not "ex-gay." He referred to himself as an "everstraight," whatever that is supposed to mean.
Maybe he feels he has to say that with this in his biography:
Mr. Sprigg previously served for ten years as a professional actor and unit leader in Covenant Players, an international Christian drama ministry.
Jeez, "Anonymous"...the next thing we know is that you will propose a statue of Peter Sprigg to be erected adjacent to the one in progress for Martin Luther King, Jr. on the Mall. ("And thanks for all your work standing up for the oppressed in Montgomery County.")
The "oppressed" in Montgomery County? Would that be a reference perchance to the Transgender brothers and sisters whom you so dishonestly and unethically opposed and belittled in your losing efforts to deprive them of their rights as citizens of the United States? Or to your efforts to dehumanize the GLBT kids in our schools by denying them access to health education?
Get real!
Diogenes
Sounds like you are jealous no one nominated you and you didn’t get reappointed so you start bad mouthing Peter to make yourself feel better.
I re-applied for my position, and Christine Grewell, who is now TTF's President, also applied, and her application was accepted. The appointments were announced a month or two ago, I may not have mentioned them here on the blog, I don't remember. I enjoyed serving on the committee and have no hard feelings at all about moving on.
JimK
Jim:
As a former member of the Committee (who was attacked on several occasions by the forerunners of the CRCers) I'd like to thank you for your outstanding support and advocacy for the young people who will learn, in a much more humane way, the lessons of responsibility regarding their sexual decisions. In the face of acerbic and unfair criticism, you conducted yourself with a noteworthy ethical grounding and provided a laudable public service.
Thanks for a job well done! And...we all hope you will continue the battle against ignorance here on the Vigilence site.
RT
I don't understand why TTF, with such a small membership and lack of esteem among parents, keeps getting an automatic seat.
Is it because this group, created to support city hall, was actually created by city hall?
Remember how closely David worked with TTF when he was chairman of the committee?
Remember how an employee of a county councilman, an officer of TTF, interfered with lawful petitioners against a law written by the council by harassing businesses who allowed the petitioners to collect signatures?
The whole close relationship is suspicious.
Mrs G is a drama queen.
Put Jim back on.
Mrs G is a drama queen.
So she should get along perfectly with Peter Sprigg, who is also a drama queen.
Am I mistaken in believing that when David was chair of the committee, TTF did not yet exist?
Maybe there's a time machine, as with the Republic of Kenya.
I don't understand why TTF, with such a small membership and lack of esteem among parents, keeps getting an automatic seat.
Let me help you out. TTF's mission statement from our home page states:
We are here to support a 21st century sex education curriculum for MCPS students. While continuing to stress the importance of abstinence for teens, we support a new curriculum that will expand upon the old one by providing our students with current knowledge about how to protect themselves, based on the latest science and advice from the medical and scientific communities. Also, based on mainstream science, we support a new curriculum that recognizes that sexual orientation is not a choice, and that homosexuality is not a disease.
We have been successful in that goal, but we realize continued Vigilance is necessary to make sure these improvements to the curriculum remain intact. We also advocate:
Stand up for what's right
Across the nation and in our own back yard, religious extremists are attempting to impose their beliefs on all of our children, and to dictate what our children learn about themselves, their bodies, and about the people around them. We need your support in opposing those who are trying to intimidate the school board, and who insist that the curriculum reflect their specific beliefs about the morality of particular behaviors.
Our influence is much wider than our membership numbers might indicate. Last year, MarylandPolitics reported Vigilance is one of the most frequently visited Maryland based blogs. Contrast this to the CRC who claims thousands of members but whose audioblog hasn't been updated since 2005 and whose linked to blog's top post is dated March 16, 2008.
Roberts asked: "Am I mistaken in believing that when David was chair of the committee, TTF did not yet exist?"
Robert, TTF overlapped with the Fishback committee by a few months. We formed in December 2004 and that committee was disbanded in May 2005.
JimK
yeah, he was "let go" soon after he set up TTF
"Our influence is much wider than our membership numbers might indicate."
The fact that nuts across the country visit the site shouldn't any bearing locally.
You're on because you've supported the establishment not because you represent the county.
"Our influence is much wider than our membership numbers might indicate."
Well, obviously.
The question is why.
The answer seems to be because you were set up by MCPS to begin with.
The MC government is creepy.
Just to set the record straight, the original core TTF group came together on the Einstein HS listserve after an announcement was posted for a meeting of people who were upset with the new sex-ed curriculum in late 2004. That group became the CRC. David Fishback did not put this group together, and MCPS had nothing at all to do with it.
JimK
so, why are you reserved a seat on this committee?
No groups are represented on the committee any more, it's all private individuals. I don't know how the school board's decision was made previously, several groups had seats on the committee, including us. Maybe because we have been highly involved in the curriculum development all along, I don't know.
JimK
"Our influence is much wider than our membership numbers might indicate."
Well, obviously.
The question is why.
IMHO it's because Jim writes well researched articles of interest to the many progressives who live here in Montgomery County.
You might want to consider another question: "Why have both CRC's blogs ceased to exist?"
"Anonymous"
You said: "I don't understand why TTF, with such a small membership and lack of esteem among parents...". I'm not sure what you were trying to say, but this seems to be a non sequitor - unless you mean that the parents of Mont. Co. have no esteem for TTF. That's a laugh...as usual, you are just blowing steam - you have absolutely zilch, nada, no polling statistics to back up that ludicrous statement.
Secondly...are you a member of the national lunatic fringe group that seems to get its sustenance from bleating and breast-beating from all of the hundreds of conspiracies that you see afoot? ("The whole close relationship is suspicious.") You are suspicious of everything including, no doubt, your own shadow.
You seem to live such a sad, existence.
Venus
Speaking to bleating, I turned on Rush for a few minutes while I was in the car today. He was busily comparing the 'Democrat' party to Germany's Nazi party, and Nancy Pelosi to Adolph Hitler.
God bless freedom of expression.
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