Conversion Therapy Ban Filed in Massachusetts

[konnorcrewe]

http://oblogdeeoblogda.me/2013/01/18/conversion-therapy-ban-bill-filed-in-massachusetts/

Today, Massachusetts joined California in the fight against harmful ex-gay conversion/reparative therapy for minors under the age of 18.  Representative Carl Sciortino (D – 34th Middlesex District) filed "An Act Relative to Abusive Practices to Change Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity in Minors," with the Clerk of the Massachusetts House of Representatives. This is just the first step in what will likely prove a long process and those of us who played only a small role are proud today.

[Anna]

I wish them/ you/ whoever is involved in ending this kind of "treatment" every success. 

[Jayr]

I'm fine with those practices as long as they're for adults.

But forcing a minor to go...I don't like that.

Than again if a 16 year old was begging for it, I think he/she should be allowed.

[Jamie D]

Almost all behaviors can be modified, but that does not change who we are innately.

[suzifrommd]

I'm fine with those practices as long as they're for adults.

But forcing a minor to go...I don't like that.

Than again if a 16 year old was begging for it, I think he/she should be allowed.

As long as some disclaimer is required. E.g. "There is no scientific evidence that conversion therapies are effective". The problem is that a lot of people (millions) actually believe this works which perpetuates the myth that transgender and homosexuality are "choices" rather than inate parts of us.

[Jayr]

As long as some disclaimer is required. E.g. "There is no scientific evidence that conversion therapies are effective". The problem is that a lot of people (millions) actually believe this works which perpetuates the myth that transgender and homosexuality are "choices" rather than inate parts of us.

+1

[konnorcrewe]

As long as some disclaimer is required. E.g. "There is no scientific evidence that conversion therapies are effective". The problem is that a lot of people (millions) actually believe this works which perpetuates the myth that transgender and homosexuality are "choices" rather than inate parts of us.

Me too... +1 or "Like"

[seebs]

I'm fine with those practices as long as they're for adults.

I'm not, simply because of the very substantial evidence that they are lethal and otherwise ineffective.

Think about it from the standpoint of the FDA. You know why you can't buy radium water to make your teeth brighter anymore? Because it killed people.

If there were evidence that these "therapies" actually had the desired effects, then yeah, fine by me, adults should be allowed to choose if it's actually possible for them to do so. But if all they do is increase suicide rates and make people live dishonestly in ways that wreck the lives of others around them? That, I have a problem with, and I am okay with banning it even for consenting adults.

Because while the specific adult going to the therapy may be consenting, is the person they're not actually attracted to that they marry under false pretenses really meaningfully "consenting" to this? Are the kids who have to deal with their parents splitting up because one of them lied about who they were "consenting"?

We ban fraudulent medical care for a reason, and it goes beyond merely the question of consent.