April 20, 2015
Current Events
Gay Conversion Therapy is the practice of “curing” gay people by supposedly turning them straight through counseling and lifestyle restrictions. The practice dates back to the early days of Freud, when homosexuality was considered a pathological illness and treatment attempts were considered appropriate. Homosexuality has since been removed from the American Psychiatric Association’s list of mental disorders and today, conversion therapy is considered ineffective, harmful, and potentially deadly.
Despite nationwide acceptance of same-sex marriage and equal rights for the LGBT community, conversion therapy is still highly promoted by religious fanatics and conservatives who believe homosexuality is a choice and can be fixed. In the United States alone, there are hundreds of gay conversion therapy groups. Republican congresswoman Michele Bachmann and her husband Marcus operate Bachmann and Associates, where they claim to convert gays in Minnesota. At the Journey into Manhood program in Virginia, men pay more than $600 to attend a weekend retreat to participate in activities the staff claims will cure them of their same-sex orientation.
President Obama has since called for an end to gay and transgender conversion therapists targeting minors.
To drive home the point, The White House posted online the story of 17-year-old transgender teen Lellah Alcorn, who took her own life after religious conversion therapists attempted to change her back to being a boy.
In a statement on the WhiteHouse.gov website, Mr. Obama stated, “We share your concern about its potentially devastating effects on the lives of transgender as well as gay, lesbian, bisexual and queer youth. … As part of our dedication to protecting America’s youth, this Administration supports efforts to ban the use of conversion therapy for minors.”
James Guay, who endured years of gay conversion therapy at his church applauded President Obama for taking a strong stance. “It’s a beautiful statement of appreciating all of our genuine ways of being. The more authentic we can be in the world, the better society we are. We need to support LGBTQ youth and adults and protect them from fraudulent and damaging practices like conversion therapy.”
To date, only California, New Jersey and the District of Columbia ban therapists from practicing conversion therapy with LGBTQ youth. However, an additional 18 states have introduced legislation this year that would ban the controversial practice.
So, is homosexuality a choice? Can gays, lesbians and transgenders be “cured” by Gay Conversion Therapy? Tell us what you think.
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