This horrific letter by an L.A. Police Chief proves how far we’ve come since 1975

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A homophobic letter from 1975 has been circulating social media after it resurfaced.

The letter from then chief of police, Edward M. Davis, was in response to an invite by the Christopher Street Foundation to gay pride week.

This horrific letter by an L.A. Police Chief proves how far we’ve come since 1975

This letter from the Los Angeles chief of police in 1975 rejects an invitation for the Chief of Police to attend gay pride week. The jaw-dropping letter was written by Edward M. Davis in response to the Christopher Street Foundation.

Davis’ sent a sharp tongued response expressing that he supported the right to express feelings on homosexuality, but said he would much rather celebrate gay conversion week. eek.

The high ranking police official said he would only celebrate when a way to convert gays to heterosexuals was found.

Thankfully we can see less outright homophobia in police departments across America, although not the same can be said for everywhere in the world.

Certain forms of gay conversion therapy including electric shock therapy are now illegal in the US, but many ‘counselling’ services still exist to try and convert homosexuals.

Celebrities including Marlon James have spoken about experiencing conversion therapy and the negative impact it has had.

The full letter, dated May 23rd 1975 reads:

“As you no doubt expected, I am declining your invitation to participate in the celebration of “GAY PRIDE WEEK.” while I support your organization’s constitutional right to express your feelings on the subject of homosexuality, I am obviously not in sympathy with your views on the subject. I would much rather celebrate “GAY CONVERSION WEEK” which I will gladly sponsor when the medical practitioners in this country find a way to convert gays to heterosexuals.”

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