Thursday, October 15, 2015

Obama Plans to Ban Evangelism to 'Homosexual Kids'

Days after President Obama's fundraising speech at the Democratic National Committee’s “LGBT Gala,” his administration released “Ending Conversion Therapy: Supporting and Affirming LGBTQ Youth,” a report calling for a ban on Christians responding to the cry of children struggling with same-sex attraction who seek the companionship of Jesus Christ in a desperate attempt to live a godly life. Rather, Obama's bureaucrats call for adults to support and guide troubled children in their homosexual lifestyle.

For background, click headlines below to read previous articles:

Illinois Outlaws Christian Counseling of 'Homosexual Kids'

California Law Saying 'Gay Kids' Can't Change Blessed by 9th Circuit Court

New Jersey Judge Rules Deviant Sexual Behavior is Normal

New Jersey Gov. Christie Says Homosexuality NOT a Sin, Outlaws Counseling for Children

Most Homosexuals Who Want to Convert Report Change

Also read Kentucky Forbids Pastors Calling Homosexuality 'Sinful'

And read President Obama Invokes God: Gay Agenda Trumps Religious Liberty

-- From "U.S. report calls for end to 'conversion therapy' for LGBT youth" by Andrew M. Seaman, Reuters Health 10/15/15

The report released today by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) comes less than a year after the Obama administration endorsed efforts to ban the practice, which aims to change a person’s sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.

. . . the report says, these youngsters should “be supported in their right to explore, define, and articulate their own identity.”

Variations in sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression are normal, [SAMHSA Special Expert on LGBT Affairs, Elliot] Kennedy told Reuters Health.

Many practitioners of conversion therapy are unlicensed, and many have religious training rather than medical training, said Dr. Jack Drescher, an expert on LGBT mental health and a psychiatrist and psychoanalyst in New York City who was not involved with the report.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "SAMHSA report shows conversion therapy not appropriate for minors, offers methods to support LGBTQ and gender non-conforming children" posted at the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration 10/15/15


This report includes the first publication of consensus statements developed by an expert panel held by the American Psychological Association in July 2015. . . . Through a collaborative process, this panel found that variations in sexual orientation and gender identity are normal, and that conversion therapies or other efforts to change sexual orientation or gender identity are not effective, are harmful, and are not appropriate therapeutic practices.  The report provides an overview of existing efforts to eliminate the practice of conversion therapy.

The information and resources contained within the report include a review of the research in this area, detailed information on supportive therapeutic approaches, areas of opportunity for future research, existing strategies to end the practice of conversion therapy, and targeted guidance for various audiences.

These materials help providers, families, and care-givers support their LGBTQ and gender non-conforming children and adolescents.  They also illuminate practices that may contribute to the health disparities facing LGBTQ youth, which should be avoided.

To read the entire government press release above, CLICK HERE.

From "Obama’s move to ban gay conversion therapy, explained" by Aaron Blake, Washington Post 4/9/15

The move comes in response to a petition on the White House Web site that has been signed by more than 120,000 people. . . .

The Greenberg Quinlan Rosner poll showed 24 percent of the respondants thought gay people could be turned straight either through therapy or prayer, while 69 percent disagreed.

For what it's worth, though, the question was about the efficacy of the treatment, and not its appropriateness. People could think the treatment doesn't work and that it should still be legal, and vice versa.

All of which is to say there are likely to be people who defend gay conversion therapy and view the White House's move as an incursion into religious rights. But if these numbers and the current religious freedom debate are any indication, the White House is holding the cards here.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Obama Calls for End to ‘Conversion’ Therapies for Gay and Transgender Youth" by Michael D. Shear, New York Times 4/9/15

Therapists who advocate the use of the gender identity therapies promote them as a way of helping gay people change their sexual orientation. Those therapists reject claims that sexual orientation or identity is unchangeable and argue that gay or transgender identities should be reversed so that people can embrace their “authentic” heterosexual selves.

David Pickup, a licensed family therapist in California and Texas, said in an interview on Wednesday that the president and gay rights advocates were purposely misconstruing the work that he and others do. He said that minors should never be forced into therapy, but he insisted that being gay was often brought about by serious emotional problems or sexual abuse.

“We believe that change is still possible. People go to therapy because they can change, because it really does work,” Mr. Pickup said. “We help people grow into their authentic selves.”

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

Also read Obama Top Homosexual Fundraiser Arrested for Anal Sex with Boy