There are two things wrong with this story. The first item is a fact; the second, my opinion. First, it isn’t true. The bill is not on its way to Governor Brown’s desk because it has to go back to the California Senate, as explained here: http://www.boxturtlebulletin.com/2012/08/28/48138
The second thing is the wording of the ‘petition’ to Jerry Brown. When I first received AllOut’s email, I rushed to sign –until the last sentence stopped me cold. Were I a Californian, I would still risk signing a petition which demands (not asks) he see it my way. I’m in Ohio. Non-Californians who demand things of California’s governor risk not only putting his back up but giving fodder to his political enemies with this petition. I believe that, left alone, Jerry Brown will sign this bill into law when it arrives before him. I also believe that this petition’s wording is quite dangerously counter-productive to our cause.
This is a bill to ban conversion therapy for under-18s.
Big difference.
Banning conversion therapy, in my opinion, should be a matter for medical boards – but conversion therapists in California do not apply to the medical boards for licensing. They get (wait for it, Valksy) – a religious exemption. Imagine if religious surgeons got to cut into people without having to pass those tedious medical exams!
The situation is that religious “therapists” get to cut into people’s psyches without actually having any recognised counselling qualifications.
Since there is no realistic prospect of closing this loophole, the only way to protect children from these charlatans is for the state to step in to regulate particular practices for the most vulnerable patients – children forced by their parents to undergo this emotional abuse.
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Dear American people, I have signed the petition. Daft people should be banned and locked up.
Brazil also banned anti-gay therapy (for ANYONE – it doesn’t matter the age).
“…tries to to change the sexual orientation of anyone under the age of 18 is engaging in “unprofessional conduct.”
More than that, it should be considered a heinous crime and have the same treatment and punishment as sexual abuse of anyone under the age of 18.
Good.
We need a similar law in the UK.
There are two things wrong with this story. The first item is a fact; the second, my opinion. First, it isn’t true. The bill is not on its way to Governor Brown’s desk because it has to go back to the California Senate, as explained here:
http://www.boxturtlebulletin.com/2012/08/28/48138
The second thing is the wording of the ‘petition’ to Jerry Brown. When I first received AllOut’s email, I rushed to sign –until the last sentence stopped me cold. Were I a Californian, I would still risk signing a petition which demands (not asks) he see it my way. I’m in Ohio. Non-Californians who demand things of California’s governor risk not only putting his back up but giving fodder to his political enemies with this petition. I believe that, left alone, Jerry Brown will sign this bill into law when it arrives before him. I also believe that this petition’s wording is quite dangerously counter-productive to our cause.
Even Exodus have finally admitted that their gay cures are snake oil, so I don’t really see the the problem with signing this one into law.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/jul/17/us-christians-gay-people
Of course it will take 100 years or more for it to make it to the rest of the country.
PN, this is not a bill to ban conversion therapy.
This is a bill to ban conversion therapy for under-18s.
Big difference.
Banning conversion therapy, in my opinion, should be a matter for medical boards – but conversion therapists in California do not apply to the medical boards for licensing. They get (wait for it, Valksy) – a religious exemption. Imagine if religious surgeons got to cut into people without having to pass those tedious medical exams!
The situation is that religious “therapists” get to cut into people’s psyches without actually having any recognised counselling qualifications.
Since there is no realistic prospect of closing this loophole, the only way to protect children from these charlatans is for the state to step in to regulate particular practices for the most vulnerable patients – children forced by their parents to undergo this emotional abuse.
That’s disgusting and almost beyond belief. I’m gobsmacked that a religious exemption is considered OK :o Words fail me…
(That was a not very convincing-looking surprise emoticon there – looks a bit smiley to me and that’s the LAST thing I’m doing…)
‘The UK government, along with those of Argentina and France have already banned anti-gay “therapy”.’
Is this true? It’s the first I’ve heard about it. What about those bus ads recently?