Tag: ex-gay therapy

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Rhode Island Governor Signs “Ex-Gay Therapy” Ban Into Law

Excellent news from Rhode Island where Gov. Gina Raimondo signed into law her state’s recently passed bill which bans “ex-gay” therapy torture.

With a sweep of her pen, Raimondo makes Rhode Island the 10th state in the country plus Washington DC to outlaw the harmful practice.

Add to that mix several cities which have passed their own municipal bans, and we’ve got some progress happening on this important issue.

From the Human Rights Campaign:

“No child should be put through the dangerous and inhumane practice of conversion therapy,” said HRC Legal Director Sarah Warbelow. “Medical professionals agree this outdated and discredited practice not only doesn’t work, but can also have life-threatening consequences. It is nothing short of child abuse. We thank Governor Raimondo and the Rhode Island Legislature for protecting the state’s LGBTQ youth.”

Rhode Island is now the eleventh jurisdiction — and the fourth state so far this year — to enact these crucially important protections. Connecticut, California, Nevada, New Jersey, the District of Columbia, Oregon, Illinois, Vermont, New York, and New Mexico all have laws or regulations protecting youth from this abusive practice. A growing number of municipalities have also enacted similar protections, including cities in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Florida.

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Podcast: Chechnya, Chelsea Manning & Out Short Film “Wonderkid”

In this week’s episode of The Randy Report :

• Gay men in Chechnya are still being rounded up, tortured and killed, and guess what the United States is doing about it?

• Transgender whistleblower Chelsea Manning is free after 7 years in prison.

• A Mississippi man is sentenced to 49 years in prison for the murder of his transgender girlfriend.

• Nevada bans so-called “ex-gay” conversion therapy.

• A new study shows facial hair plays a big part in perceived masculinity, sexual attractiveness and even the length of relationships.

• Short film “Wonderkid” tackles homophobia in competitive sports. Watch the full film for free at www.wonderkidfilm.co.uk/watch

I appreciate everyone who follows my podcast.

I’m going to ask a favor here: as podcasts are becoming more and more popular, I’d appreciate it if you would recommend The Randy Report podcast to you friends. It’s intended as an easy and listener-friendly way to catch up on the week’s LGBTQ headlines.

If you like, please consider sharing the link to my podcast on your social media, or just tell your friends.

In just a few months, I’m proud to say The Randy Report is one of the top LGBT podcasts on iTunes.

Listen below.

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Nevada Becomes 9th State To Ban So-Called “Conversion Therapy” For Minors

Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval

Today, Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval signed into law Senate Bill 201, legislation which bans the dangerous and discredited practice of so-called “conversion therapy.”

Via the Human Rights Campaign:

“No child should be put through the dangerous and inhumane practice of conversion therapy,” said HRC President Chad Griffin. “Medical professionals agree this outdated and discredited practice not only doesn’t work, but can also have life-threatening consequences. It is nothing short of child abuse. We thank Governor Sandoval and the Nevada State Legislature for passing these crucially important protections for the state’s LGBTQ youth.”

Nevada becomes the tenth jurisdiction — and the third state so far this year — to enact these crucially important protections. Connecticut, California, New Jersey, the District of Columbia, Oregon, Illinois, Vermont, New York, and New Mexico all have laws or regulations protecting youth from this abusive practice. A growing number of municipalities have also enacted similar protections, including cities in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Florida.

“I want to thank my colleagues in the Senate and the Assembly for their bipartisan support of Senate Bill 201,” said Nevada State Senator David Parks, who sponsored the bill. “Conversion therapy is a dangerous, discredited practice that has been shown to cause anxiety, depression, substance abuse, and suicide among LGBTQ youth. By enacting this ban, Nevada will join eight other states and the District of Columbia in taking a strong stand to protect young people from psychological and physical abuse.”

“Conversion therapy,” sometimes referred to as “sexual orientation change efforts” or “reparative therapy,” encompasses a range of practices that seek to change an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity or expression. These practices are based on the false premise that being LGBTQ is a mental illness that needs to be cured — a theory that has been rejected for decades by every major medical and mental health organization.

Nevada state Sen. David Parks
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Connecticut Lawmakers Approve Ban On “Ex-Gay” Therapy

Connecticut is set to ban so-called “ex-gay” therapy after the state Senate unanimously approved legislation today. Having passed by an overwhelming margin last week in the state House, the bill now heads to the Governor’s desk for his signature.

Via press release from Connecticut Equality:

The Connecticut Senate voted unanimously today to pass HB 6695, AAC The Protection of Youth from Conversion Therapy 36-0, with bipartisan support. Sponsored by Senator Beth Bye and Representative Jeff Currey, the bill has 100 co-sponsors and was approved in the House by an overwhelming margin last week.

“We are delighted with today’s vote, and grateful that the Senate, with strong support on both sides of the aisle, moved so quickly to protect Connecticut youth from the devastating consequences of so-called conversion therapy,” said Jennifer L. Levi, Transgender Rights Project Director for GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD). “This legislation will make Connecticut a safer and more welcoming place for LGBTQ youth.”

State and national medical, mental health, and child welfare organizations all oppose the practice of conversion therapy, a practice which seeks to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity. Extensive professional literature shows the practice to be both ineffective in changing sexual orientation or gender identity and harmful to youth. Young people who have been subjected to conversion therapy are at increased risk of depression, suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts, and illegal drug use.

Under the bill’s provisions, any licensed health professional who practices conversion therapy would be subject to discipline by the Department of Public Health up to and including the loss of their professional license.

Connecticut joins California, Illinois, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Vermont and Washington DC in banning the torturous practice.

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Franklin Graham Denounces Proposed Ban On “Ex-Gay” Therapy – “Homosexuality Is An Abomination”

Franklin Graham

In a post on his Facebook page, Franklin Graham denounced Democratic lawmakers for proposing a federal ban on so-called “ex-gay therapy.”

Along the way, reasserts that “homosexuality is an abomination,” and that gays are born “imperfect.”

“Now Democrats are proposing a bill to ban conversion therapy in the United States, saying that LGBTQ people were born perfect. Actually, they are very misled. We were all born imperfect, with sinful natures — yet loved by God who offers us forgiveness and wholeness through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ.

“Homosexuality is defined by God as sin, an abomination to Him. There’s one ‘conversion therapy’ that works for all sin, and that is asking Jesus Christ to come into our hearts. He can transform and heal our lives, making us new. The Bible tells us, ‘Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come’ (2 Cor. 5:17).”

Congressman Ted Lieu introduced The Therapeutic Fraud Prevention Act of 2017 this week.

At the time he told the Washington Post:

“The bill is very simple. It says it is fraud if you treat someone for a condition that doesn’t exist and there’s no medical condition known as being gay.

“LGBTQ people were born perfect; there is nothing to treat them for. And by calling this what it should be, which is fraud, it would effectively shut down most of the organizations.”

“Ex-gay therapy,” also known as “reparative therapy” has been decried by dozens of medical professional organizations, and has been proved to harmful, akin to torture.

I don’t know about being “perfect,” but…

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New Mexico Poised To Become 7th State To Ban “Ex-Gay” Therapy For Minors

New Mexico appears set to become the seventh state in the U.S. to pass legislation that bans health care workers from trying to change the sexual orientation or gender identity of minors.

According to Buzzfeed News, House Speaker Brian Egolf feels confident the measure will pass in his chamber.

This would be welcome news as religious conservatives across the country have blocked the passage of LGBT nondiscrimination protections in recent years.

Senate Bill 121 would ban licensed health care professionals from any “treatment that seeks to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity, including any effort to change behaviors or gender expressions or to eliminate or reduce sexual or romantic attractions or feelings toward persons of the same sex.”

Mental health professionals have widely denounced so-called “ex-gay” or “conversion” therapy as dangerous and harmful to minors. And, it doesn’t work.

The bill passed the New Mexico senate on a 32-6 vote last month, and the House Judiciary Committee advanced the bill on a vote of 5-2 last Wednesday.

Republican Gov. Susana Martinez has not signaled whether she would sign the bill into law or not.

New Jersey, California, Oregon, Illinois, New York, and Vermont have all passed similar legislation.

In related news, Nevada Democrats have filed Senate Bill 201 which would ban licensed medical professionals from practicing “conversion therapy.”

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News Round-Up: March 7, 2017

George Michael

Some news stories you might have missed:

• According to the coroner’s newly released report, pop music icon George Michael died of natural causes, which will really irritate the tabloids who were surely hoping for something more salacious.

• ABC’s 20/20 will air a report on the harmful effects of “conversion” or “ex-gay therapy” this Friday  at 10 p.m. Eastern. Click here for an advance look.

• It turns out former Trump campaign spokesperson and serial liar Katrina Pierson’s bitching got her booted out of a White House gig. #NoOneIsSurprised

• Anderson Cooper couldn’t take the Trump Twitter Chronicles anymore, so he has the prez on “mute.”

• The Justice Department, under President Trump, seems to be preparing to u-turn on federal opposition to North Carolina’s anti-LGBT “bathroom law,” HB2.

• The Will & Grace gang is all back together and working on the upcoming 10 show season reboot of the hit sitcom. Check out the four stars below, clearly happy to be #reunited&itfeelssogood

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Ohio: Toledo Bans So-Called “Conversion Therapy”

By a unanimous vote, the Toledo City Council has approved a ban on so-called “conversion” or “ex-gay” therapy within the city limits, AND added gender identity to it’s list of protected classes.

According to the Toledo Blade, the proposed legislation, which states “no mental health provider shall engage in sexual orientation or gender identity change efforts with any person,” would make it a misdemeanor of the fourth degree to provide the therapy. Each day in violation would be a separate offense — each with a maximum fine of $250.

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News Round-Up: August 4, 2016

Some news stories you may have missed:

• First look at Supergirl‘s cousin “Superman,” 28 year old Tyler Hoechlin, as he rips open his shirt to become the man of steel and save the day. Hoechlin makes his debut in the second season of Supergirl this fall.

• Anti-gay Kansas Rep. Tim Huelskamp loses his primary challenge on Tuesday to newcomer Roger Marshall. You name the anti-gay legislation, this guy supported it.

• It’s very possible that, before marrying Donald Trump, Melania Trump was working in the U.S. illegally.

• Seattle City Council unanimously passes an ordinance protecting youth from being subjected to so-called “ex-gay” therapy. Research has shown the practice amounts to torture for young LGBTs.

• Immediately upon being eligible to receive classified briefings, Donald Trump describes “top secret” video he saw at campaign rally.

• This couple turns the perception of tops/bottoms upside down.

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Vermont Becomes 8th State To Outlaw “Ex-Gay” Torture

Vermont becomes the 8th state in the U.S. to outlaw so-called “conversion therapy for young LGBTs.

From the Human Rights Campaign:

Today, Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin signed Senate Bill 132 into law, making Vermont the eighth jurisdiction—behind California, New Jersey, Oregon, Illinois, New York, Washington D.C., and Cincinnati—to protect LGBTQ youth from the dangers of “conversion therapy.”

Senate Bill 132, which protects LGBTQ youth from mental health providers attempting to change their sexual orientation or gender identity through practices that are linked to substance abuse, extreme depression, and suicide, was approved by the Senate and the House of Representatives in April. The law will go into effect July 1, 2016.

“We are thrilled that Vermont has joined the rapidly growing number of states leading the way to protect LGBTQ youth from conversion therapy,” said the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) Youth Policy Counsel Carolyn Reyes. “Vermont families can now have confidence that the mental health professional they turn to in times of uncertainty may not use their state license to profit from their children’s pain. Most importantly, Vermont children can now rest easy in the knowledge that they cannot be forced or coerced to undergo dangerous and discredited treatments to try to change who they are. Today brings us one step closer to the day when all LGBTQ youth know they were born perfect.”

Said HRC President Chad Griffin: “No young person should be subjected to this extremely harmful and discredited practice, which medical professionals agree not only doesn’t work, but can also have life-threatening consequences. It is nothing short of child abuse. We thank Governor Shumlin and the Vermont State Legislature for prioritizing the well-being and safety of our nation’s youth, and remain committed to working with our partners to ensure that this quackery is banned from coast to coast.”