Let me begin with a link to a news story:
http://www.cnn.com/2015/04/08/politics/white-house-seeks-ban-on-gay-conversion-therapies/
Have you ever heard the phrase "Pray the gay away"? This phrase is a rather crass way to talk about conversion therapy, but it's fairly accurate, in my opinion. There are two sizeable conversion therapy programs that I am aware of. The first is Exodus International and the other is through Focus on the Family. And, Exodus International shut down and issued an apology. http://www.cnn.com/2013/06/20/us/exodus-international-shutdown/ And, I believe but am not fully sure, that Love Won Out merged with Exodus International sometime around 2009. (Don't be afraid to fact check me on that one.) So....one would think that this kind of thing wouldn't be around any more. However, it is. Sometimes now it is called reparative therapy. It doesn't repair, however, it causes great damage in young people.
https://youtu.be/wD4sWQG2DnQ
In the video by Vice, you hear guys talking about what's 'typical' in the gay community. I truly believe that if there is self-destructive behavior it's because those who are lesbian or gay, are not fully accepted by society and various religious organizations. If someone is gay and is able to get married and legally have children, if they are looked at just like any heterosexual is then they are going to have an easier life. A rough childhood isn't going to make someone gay. A happy childhood isn't going to make someone gay. Being an LGBT person is not a person who needs to be 'fixed'. Do I respect the right of a legal adult to choose reparative therapy? Sure. They are an adult. Do I believe that anyone should be told they need or should seek reparative therapy? No.
So....I'm so glad to read the announcement that President Obama has condemned conversion therapy. However, I truly believe that until it's condemned by Christian churches, it's going to continue to find a clientele of terrified parents. As for those adults whom we saw in the Vice video who were attending the camp in Texas, I think they'd be a lot less unhappy if they could legally marry as a gay person, legally adopt kids in their home state as a gay person, and be accepted in their faith communities as gay people. But that's another whole post.
Peace.
http://www.cnn.com/2015/04/08/politics/white-house-seeks-ban-on-gay-conversion-therapies/
Have you ever heard the phrase "Pray the gay away"? This phrase is a rather crass way to talk about conversion therapy, but it's fairly accurate, in my opinion. There are two sizeable conversion therapy programs that I am aware of. The first is Exodus International and the other is through Focus on the Family. And, Exodus International shut down and issued an apology. http://www.cnn.com/2013/06/20/us/exodus-international-shutdown/ And, I believe but am not fully sure, that Love Won Out merged with Exodus International sometime around 2009. (Don't be afraid to fact check me on that one.) So....one would think that this kind of thing wouldn't be around any more. However, it is. Sometimes now it is called reparative therapy. It doesn't repair, however, it causes great damage in young people.
https://youtu.be/wD4sWQG2DnQ
In the video by Vice, you hear guys talking about what's 'typical' in the gay community. I truly believe that if there is self-destructive behavior it's because those who are lesbian or gay, are not fully accepted by society and various religious organizations. If someone is gay and is able to get married and legally have children, if they are looked at just like any heterosexual is then they are going to have an easier life. A rough childhood isn't going to make someone gay. A happy childhood isn't going to make someone gay. Being an LGBT person is not a person who needs to be 'fixed'. Do I respect the right of a legal adult to choose reparative therapy? Sure. They are an adult. Do I believe that anyone should be told they need or should seek reparative therapy? No.
So....I'm so glad to read the announcement that President Obama has condemned conversion therapy. However, I truly believe that until it's condemned by Christian churches, it's going to continue to find a clientele of terrified parents. As for those adults whom we saw in the Vice video who were attending the camp in Texas, I think they'd be a lot less unhappy if they could legally marry as a gay person, legally adopt kids in their home state as a gay person, and be accepted in their faith communities as gay people. But that's another whole post.
Peace.
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Be peaceful and respectful.