The following is an opinion piece by the LA Times editorial board:
In 2012 California enacted a law that bars licensed mental health providers from engaging in therapy designed to change the sexual orientation of patients under the age of 18. Now the state Senate is considering a sequel of sorts. But this new legislation is broader in its application — so broad that some critics are claiming that it could be used to interfere with the sale of religious books, even the Bible.
Such fears may be farfetched. But AB 2943, which was passed by the Assembly last month, contains ambiguities that need to be cleared up if the legislation is to become law.
Unlike the earlier law, however, this legislation targets “sexual orientation change efforts” aimed at adults as well as minors. Some would argue that adults should be allowed to avail themselves of therapies if they are offered by licensed psychologists and other professionals. But if the Legislature has the legal authority to forbid therapists from engaging in conversion therapy with minors, it probably can prohibit them from treating adults as well.
The problem is that AB 2943 isn’t a regulation of licensed healthcare professionals. Rather, and oddly, it’s an amendment to a state law, the Consumer Legal Remedies Act, dealing with fraudulent trade in goods and services. It would expand the definition of “unfair or deceptive acts or practices” for which consumers could sue to include “advertising, offering to engage in or engaging in sexual orientation change efforts with an individual.” And it would cover anyone who engaged in that practice.
Would that include churches or other religious groups that sold, advertised or even recommended books that propagated the idea that believers can use prayer to overcome “same-sex attraction”? That’s what several conservative organizations and commentators are arguing. They have the Constitution on their side. The 1st Amendment clearly protects their right to preach, and encourage adherents to follow, religious doctrine on sexual morality.
Supporters of the bill scoff at this critique. A fact sheet provided by Assemblyman Evan Low (D-Silicon Valley), the sponsor of AB 2943, asserts that the bill “does not apply to the sale of books or any other kind of goods” and that the Bible “would absolutely not be banned.”
Yet the bill itself makes no such declaration. And the existing Consumer Legal Remedies Act clearly applies to the sale of goods such as books, videos and other educational materials — including those sold by churches and other religious groups.
Another complaint by critics is that, while the bill permits therapies that “do not seek to change sexual orientation,” it defines “sexual orientation change efforts” to include attempts to alter not only romantic attractions but also “behaviors or gender expressions.” Under this broad definition, wrote David French in the National Review, “if … a sexually active gay man or woman sought counseling not to change their orientation but rather to become celibate, then the services and goods provided in that effort would violate this statute.”
Many Californians reject the idea that gays and lesbians shouldn’t engage in sexual activity. But many religious groups (including the Roman Catholic Church) teach that sex is permissible only within heterosexual marriage. The 1st Amendment protects their right to counsel adherents to live by those teachings.
Granted, the 2012 law banning conversion therapy for minors by licensed professionals also defined “sexual orientation change efforts” to include efforts to change “behaviors or gender expressions.” But that law regulated only the conduct of state-licensed professionals. Now, the state would be going further, including trying to regulate nonprofessionals, possibly including those engaged in religious speech. In upholding the 2012 law against a 1st Amendment challenge, the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals emphasized that the statute didn’t prevent mental health providers from referring minors to unlicensed counselors “such as religious leaders.”
It’s possible that the critics of this bill are being alarmist, but the language of the legislation is ambiguous enough to justify at least some of their concerns. The Senate can allay them by amending the bill to make it clear that it can’t be used against books or religious preaching or counseling about sexuality.
Full story at LA Times.
California is so totally gone.
I tend to to agree with the First Amendment argument. Please consider, however that two of the primer conversion therapy practitioners have weird histories.
As part of his doctoral studies at UCLA, George Rekers led an experimental study which used behavioral modification to discourage “deviant sex-role behaviors in a male child”. It consisted of the boy’s mother withholding affection if he played with girls toys and if that didn’t work , dad would beat him. siblings and mother state that the therapy ultimately had lasting damage to the boy and led to him growing up to be a man who grappled constantly with his homosexuality before committing suicide in 2003 at the age of 38.
Years later, Rekers famously took a European…
…vacation without his wife and hired an attractive young man from “Rentboy.com” to “handle the luggage.”
Continued ..
Then there is Richard Cohen. He claims he can turn gay people straight by such things as beating a pillow with a rolled up newspaper while yelling at their mother, and cuddeling another man. (all these guys seem to focus on gay men.) Cohen, who has an MA in psych, but no license, got kicked out of the American Counseling Association. He and his wife are also Moonies. The gay civil rights organizations argue that these guys can cause lasting psychological harm to people. In some, not all, but some cases, I think they’re right
Yeah, so what’s your excuse?
My excuse for what?
This is simply draconian Thought Crime legislation pushed by a GILBERT Gaystapo who have no Rational Arguments to make and who would lose any debate in the public arena – and thus must push it through their ‘semi-super majority’ legislature – including amazingly ‘RINO’ republicans like catharine Baker.
It is the ultimate in Anti-Christian Hate Pogroms and thus worthy of our Turkey Baster Creationist gov-mint
CALIFORNIA is moving in the same direction that all the Democrats and some Republicans were planning on moving the USA had Hilary won. The nation dodged a bullet to the head when she lost! She said “The Church must change.” Look at Califirnia and weep. The Church is charging – and the bishops are complicit. The biggest works of Mercy the bishops are engaged in there is not, “teaching the ignorant, nor admonishing the sinner” but instead, “assisting the illegal, and empowering the wolves in sheep’s clothing.” CALIFORNIA is imploding before our eyes. Liberal judges and Legislative members have solid partners in the cooperative modernist bishops (and silent cowardly bishops). Violent Crime. Drugs, car accidents that kill, sex crimes, low…
CONTINUE: Legalized gambling, Violent Crime.new Drugs for sale, car accidents that kill, sex crimes, child endangerment, low church attendance, illegal immigrant hard criminals on street, homeless tent cities in parks and parking lots, drug addicts shooting up near public transport stops, mentally ill on the street, gypsies “begging” at front door of grocery stores, big new age and aerheust movement etc. All signs of the low life they have envisioned and are creating…