One of the most insidious lies perpetrated by the Christofascists (and there are many, many lies put out by these people) is the lie that sexual orientation is a "choice" and that one's sexual orientation can be "changed." The lie is kept alive for two reasons: (i) the large amounts of money that "ministries" fleece from people for "conversion therapy" and (ii) duping politicians and claiming that since orientation is a "choice" no legal protections are needed for LGBT citizens. California and New Jersey have outlawed gay conversion therapy for those under age 18. Other states are considering similar bans - the Virginia bill was killed by the Virginia GOP at the directive of the Christofascists at The Family Foundation - including Illinois where the bill advanced today. Here are highlights from Capital Fax:
From a press release…
Equality Illinois is calling on the Illinois House of Representatives to protect minors by passing the Conversion Therapy Prohibition Act this spring after the House Human Services Committee approved it today by a 9 to 6 vote.
Bernard Cherkasov, CEO of Equality Illinois, the state’s oldest and largest advocacy organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Illinoisans, said so-called “conversion therapies” for youths pretend to supposedly “cure” people of being gay, but have actually proven to be very harmful and are actively opposed by leading mental health and medical professional groups.
“This bill would ensure that the most vulnerable individuals, those already struggling in the face of homophobia and transphobia, are not targeted and subjected to a practice that medical practitioners deem harmful and inappropriate,” Cherkasov said.
The measure would prohibit mental health providers from engaging in any effort to change the sexual orientation of anyone under the age of 18. The bill’s chief House sponsor is state Rep. Kelly Cassidy.* An August, 2013 Sun-Times editorial also endorsed the concept…
Conversion therapy — trying to turn gay teenagers straight — is awful in three ways:
◆ It does not work.
◆ It can do considerable harm.
◆ It is unnecessary.
On Monday, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie signed a bill banning gay conversion therapy in the Garden State, to which we can only say “hallelujah.”
Now when will Illinois do the same?
Not surprisingly, Illinois hate merchant groups are having conniption fits. True to form, they whine and wring their hands pretending to be worried about children "experiencing unwanted same-sex attraction" which they attribute to sexual abuse when, in fact, its the loss of money and political usefulness that is their real worry.
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