Pro-Gay DC Mayor Adrian Fenty Loses

Washington DC Mayor Adrian Fenty, who enthusiastically signed the city's marriage equality bill into law, has lost his reelection primary bid against City Council Chairman Vince Gray.

Gray's victory is tantamount to election: Democrats hold a 10-1 registration edge in the capital city, and Republicans aren't even fielding a mayoral candidate. Fenty already has ruled out taking the GOP line on the ballot. The mayor's defeat comes despite the fact that a recent Washington Post poll showed 56% of Washingtonians happy about the direction of the city. But other community leaders, including Gray and his city council colleagues, complained that the mayor didn't include them in decision-making. Fenty blamed his image problems on unpopular decisions he had to make to improve the city.

Gray was endorsed by the (gay) Gertrude Stein Democratic Club and a number of labor unions, including the police and fire departments.

DC's Capital Pride On Fenty/PFOX Flap

Washington DC's Capital Pride has issued a statement regarding the calls by some activists for Mayor Adrian to be disinvited to the parade. Last month it was learned that Fenty's office had accidentally honored the founder of the "ex-gay" group PFOX.

In recent days, there has been a public call to “un-invite” Mayor Adrian Fenty from Capital Pride festivities. While Capital Pride feels that PFOX and its mission are harmful to our community and our families in Washington, D.C., Mayor Fenty, all elected officials, and all of those running for office are always welcome to join in the celebration of Capital Pride. Everyone who supports equality for LGBT people in the Washington, D.C. area is welcome to attend and participate in Capital Pride’s 35th Anniversary Celebration, June 4th -13th. After 35 years, you ain’t seen nothing, yet!

Group Demands DC Mayor Adrian Fenty Be Uninvited From Pride Over PFOX Flap

Led by activist Lane Hudson, a group of activists is saying that DC Mayor Adrian Fenty should be uninvited for this year's pride celebration unless he apologizes for the accidental recognition of the "good work" of the "ex-gay" group, PFOX. From their Facebook page:

Six months after the Certificate was discovered, a spokesperson from the Mayor's office blamed a "low level staff error" for the Certificate. However, the Mayor has been silent on the issue and refuses to apologize and retract this Certificate. This is a serious matter and must be addressed in a serious way by the Mayor. His refusal to take responsibility is a complete abdication of leadership. We as a community must stand up to anyone that gives credence to harmful organizations like PFOX. Please join others who are demanding that Mayor Adrian Fenty be un-invited from participation in Capital Pride until all three of the following conditions are met:

1) Formally retract this Certificate of Appreciation
2) Personally take responsibility for your office's actions instead of blaming a "staff level error"
3) Issue a statement condemning PFOX.

The certificate of appreciation to PFOX was issued last November, but only came to the attention of the LGBT blogosphere last week.

Why Did DC Honor "Ex-Gay" Group PFOX?

Christian Newswire is crowing this morning about a certificate of appreciation given to the leader of the nasty "ex-gay" group PFOX by DC Mayor Adrian Fenty.

The government of the District of Columbia has awarded a certificate of appreciation to Regina Griggs, executive director of Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays & Gays (PFOX). The certificate, signed by D.C. mayor Adrian Fenty, recognizes Griggs for her "dedication, commitment, and outstanding contributions as Executive Director of Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays and Gays." "Regina's award is well-deserved," said Greg Quinlan, President of Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays & Gays. PFOX presented the award to Griggs last week in honor of her ten years of volunteer service to parents and the ex- gay community. "Regina has served as executive director without pay. Instead, she prefers that donations be used to develop resources for families and teens, to promote unconditional love for all regardless of sexual orientation, and to seek equal access and protection for the ex-gay community," said Quinlan. "Her dedication is unparalleled."

The Gay & Lesbian Activist Alliance of Washington DC is NOT happy.

In an open letter addressed to Mafara Hobson, spokesperson of the mayor's office, Rick Rosendall, vice president of political affairs for GLAA, says: ''PFOX is notorious as a purveyor of junk science which constitutes an ongoing slander against gay people. ''GLAA in the past has defended PFOX's First Amendment right to express its noxious views, but PFOX certainly does not deserve any honor or recognition from our Mayor.'' Rosendall goes on to request three things: an explanation of the honor, a rejection of the ''ex-gay'' movement from Fenty, and a description of what Fenty plans to do to undo the perception that he approves of PFOX's mission. ''Given the Mayor's record of support for gay families,'' Rosendall adds, ''it is painful to see him honor someone with the pernicious record of a Regina Griggs.''

Seriously, Fenty. WTF?

UPDATE: The Washington Post reports that Fenty has issued an apology.

D.C. Mayor Adrian M. Fenty apologized Thursday over his decision to issue a certificate of appreciation honoring the leader of the ex-gay movement, which believes homosexuals can be rehabilitated. Fenty’s statement comes one day after local and national gay-rights leaders demanded to know why Fenty honored Regina Griggs, executive director of the Parents and Friends of ExGays and Gays. Mafara Hobson, a Fenty spokeswoman, called Griggs’ award a “staff-level error.” “We apologize for the error as it runs contrary to the mayor’s vision of a more open and inclusive city,” Hobson said. “The mayor is proud of his ardent support of the LGBT community.”