AB 2943 would add the vague phrase “sexual orientation change efforts” to the section of the Civil Code which otherwise permits lawsuits for misrepresentations made in connection with the sale of items like furniture, repair services, rebates and discounts.  The bill is inappropriate, too broad and unnecessary.  Urge your representative to OPPOSE AB 2493.

AB 2943 would take something completely intangible — “sexual orientation change efforts” – and add it to the Consumer Legal Remedies Act.  Regardless of views about sexual orientation therapy (the practice is already illegal for juveniles), why would proponents wish to take away the freedom of adults to seek counseling about such an existential issue? 

The only type of therapy allowed under AB 2943 does “not seek to change sexual orientation.”  People are far more complicated than that. Childhood traumas, inappropriate experiences or any number of circumstances might lead to sexual confusion. Why does healing only support one viewpoint and not what might be right for a particular person?

The broad reach of AB 2942 leaves even simple religious speech on same-sex attraction or activities open to legal action and impinges on the basic human right of freedom of religion.  Activists are always eager to find new ways to litigate for their view.  With the ill-defined ideas in AB 2943, they would now have another avenue to bring action against faith-based speech with which they did not agree. The implications are staggering but the opponents of AB 2943 have brushed them aside as insignificant.

Full story at California Catholic Conference.