CNN: Is there a need for a gay cure?
In a controversial segment [1] aired Tuesday, news anchor Kyra Phillips explores the question of whether there is a need to cure homosexuality.
Rep. Bonnie Lowenthal, the California assemblywoman advocating for the repeal of a law requiring health professionals to seek a cure for gays, debated the issue with ex-gay Richard Cohen. Interesting fact: Neither guest is gay.
[2]
Lowenthal mentions the law was created at a time when homosexuality was officially a mental disorder. “It has been on the books for 60 years and is quite useless and rather offensive to many, including myself,” she said on CNN.
Cohen is the author of “Coming Out Straight” and claims to be a psychotherapist. He was expelled from the American Counseling Association in 2002 for what the Washington Post [3]called “multiple ethics violations.”
Cohen argues that California’s existing law seeking to cure homosexuals actually is a good thing because it forces studies of sexual predators which he sites as a reason people go gay.
[1] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHgJbjIXw8g&feature=player_embedded
[2] http://www.365gay.com/wp-content/uploads/news-gay-cure-top.jpg
[3] http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/15/AR2005081501063.html
Equality California to Bring Over 2,000 Californians to Sacramento for Lobby Day to Support the Invalidation of Prop 8
Equality California is sponsoring Lobby Day where a diverse group of volunteers and activists will urge legislators to support Equality California-sponsored companion resolutions SR 7 (Leno) and HR 5 (Ammiano), in the State Senate and Assembly. The resolutions would put the legislature on record as opposing Prop 8 as an invalid revision to the California Constitution. More than 2,000 volunteers have already registered to participate.
When: Tuesday, February 17, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
10:30 a.m.: Assembly judiciary committee hearing on HR 5
12:15 p.m. Rally
12:30 p.m. Senate Judiciary hearing on SR 7
1-4 p.m.: lobby visits
Where: California State Capitol, 10th Street and Capitol Mall, Sacramento, CA 95814
Who: Lobby day will bring together diverse civil rights and faith leaders, community members and allies from across the state and a number of elected officials, including Senator Mark Leno (D-San Francisco), Senator Christine Kehoe (D-San Diego), Senator Gloria Romero (D-Los Angeles), State Assemblymember John A. Pérez (D-Los Angeles) Assemblymember Tom Ammiano (D-San Francisco), and Assemblymember Bonnie Lowenthal (D-Long Beach).
Lobby Day will follow a series of coordinated actions supporting marriage for same-sex couples over President’s Day weekend. On Monday, February 16, EQCA will also co-sponsor a rally with Equality Action NOW, Marriage Equality USA, and California Outreach at the Capitol.
EQCA works to achieve equality and secure legal protections for LGBT people. To improve the lives of LGBT Californians, EQCA sponsors legislation and coordinates efforts to ensure its passage, lobbies legislators and other policy makers, builds coalitions, develops community strength and empowers individuals and other organizations to engage in the political process. www.eqca.org
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Original source : http://gay_blog.blogspot.com/2009/02/equality-cali…
EQCA Sponsors Lobby Day Urging Invalidation of Proposition 8
Equality California will sponsor a lobby day where participants will urge legislators to support companion resolutions, SR 7 (Leno) and HR 5 (Ammiano), in the State Senate and Assembly that would put the legislature on record as opposing Proposition 8 as an invalid revision to the California Constitution. More than 1,000 people have already registered to participate. The day is set for Tuesday, February 17. Rally at 12:15 p.m. and lobby visits from 1 to 4 p.m. at the California State Capitol.
Lobby day will bring together diverse civil rights and faith leaders, community members and allies from across the state and a number of elected officials, including Senator Mark Leno (D-San Francisco), Senator Christine Kehoe (D-San Diego), Senator Gloria Romero (D-Los Angeles), State Assemblymember John A. Pérez (D-Los Angeles) Assemblymember Tom Ammiano (D-San Francisco), and Assemblymember Bonnie Lowenthal (D-Long Beach).
Lobby Day will follow a series of coordinated actions supporting marriage for same-sex couples over President’s Day weekend. On Monday, February 16, EQCA will also co-sponsor a rally with Equality Action NOW, Marriage Equality USA, and California Outreach at the Capitol.
The lobby day is free and open to all who support equality. Each participant will receive lobbying training, advocacy materials and will be assigned to an experienced team leader before heading off to meetings at the Capitol. Participants can register online at: http://www.eqca.org/2009lobbyday.
EQCA works to achieve equality and secure legal protections for LGBT people. To improve the lives of LGBT Californians, EQCA sponsors legislation and coordinates efforts to ensure its passage, lobbies legislators and other policy makers, builds coalitions, develops community strength and empowers individuals and other organizations to engage in the political process. www.eqca.org
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Original source : http://gay_blog.blogspot.com/2009/02/eqca-sponsors…
