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Most States Protect Therapy Equality and Freedom for Minors When Given Opportunity to Hear from Individuals |
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Four states plus the District of Columbia currently ban Sexual Orientation Change Efforts (SOCE) therapy. Those states seem to garner the most headlines, but four times that many states have taken action to protect the therapy options of minors. And that’s a step in the right direction, says Christopher Doyle, a licensed professional counselor and a leader in the #TherapyEquality campaign of Equality And Justice For All. |
| “Those of us who staunchly advocate for therapy freedom and therapy equality urge lawmakers in all states to be open to hearing the stories of healing from those who have been able to choose therapy that’s right for them,” Doyle said. “Homosexual activists will use any means, including deep pockets and half-truths, to purposefully mislead those who are in the position to make the important decisions regarding therapy equality and therapy bans.”
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| Doyle, a former homosexual who says that therapy changed his life, is now married to his wife and they have five children. He has long advocated for therapy freedom and therapy equality, especially as activists fight harder to ban therapies for minors that help them deal with unwanted same-sex attractions and gender identity confusion. Lawmakers in Virginia recently voted down a therapy ban there, but similar bills have been introduced in Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Ohio and Vermont.
“As a counselor, I am not working to ‘convert’ anyone,” Doyle said of the types of therapy under question. “Those I work with believe there are specific causes for their unwanted same-sex attractions and gender identity confusion. And I work to help them resolve those issues, affirm their sexual identity and achieve their goals. Everyone has the right to resolve unwanted desires, attractions and unmet love needs. If someone desires to work through those issues with a counselor, who are we to stop them?”
On behalf of Equality And Justice For All, Doyle has initiated a petition through the Liberty Action Center that will allow those concerned with therapy equality in Hawaii to send the message of “Vote NO for HB 1675.”
In 2016, Doyle has a renewed commitment to fight and advocate for therapy equality for all, buoyed by the fact that in 2015, at least 15 states rejected or refused to pass laws to take away the therapy rights of children and their families, despite the efforts of vocal homosexual activists.
The city of Cincinnati, Ohio, has also banned SOCE therapy for minors, even if they voluntarily request it, and New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo recently announced regulations that will prohibit health care insurers in the state from covering such therapies for minors. |
| | | | #TherapyEquality leader Christopher Doyle was featured in an article on WRIC's website on Feb. 13, titled "2 divergent views on ‘Conversion Therapy’." WRIC is the ABC affiliate for the Richmond, VA, market.
Doyle shared his personal story about his struggles in the past with same-sex attraction, his experience with therapy, and how today he is married to his wife and a licensed psychotherapist whose methodologies are all standard therapeutic tools. You can read the full article here. |
| | | | Lives Are On the Line -
We thank you for all the ways you have supported the important work of Equality And Justice For All. As you know, 2015 was a crucial year for issues such as therapy equality and the rights of those who are struggling with unwanted same-sex attractions and gender identity confusion. Will you help us protect and defend the therapy rights of all in 2016? Your gift in any amount will be invaluable in furthering the mission of Equality And Justice For All. Thank you for your support!
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| About Equality and Justice For All
Equality And Justice For All is the only civil rights organization that works to further the general welfare of the ex-gay community by promoting fair and equitable laws and policies protecting their rights. By furthering individual self-determination and liberty for former homosexuals, the organization strives to reduce bigoted representations of the ex-gay sexual orientation status, ensuring that ex-gays and their friends and families can be open, honest, safe and respected in a diverse society. |
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