So-called “conversion therapy,” sometimes known as “reparative therapy,” is a range of dangerous and discredited practices that falsely claim to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity or expression. Such practices have been rejected by every mainstream medical and mental health organization for decades, but due to continuing discrimination and societal bias against LGBTQ people, some practitioners continue to conduct conversion therapy. Minors are especially vulnerable, and conversion therapy can lead to depression, anxiety, drug use, homelessness, and suicide.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/ ... y-platform
Let me start by saying this: Gay conversion does not work. Homosexuality is not a choice that can be discouraged, nor a mental illness to be cured. That being said, it's distressing to see that a major US political party is considering showing support for this in its platform. Even more disturbing, is that only a handful of states have banned this procedure, leaving the majority of the American LGBT population at risk.
Aside from its futility, conversion therapy can cause intense mental stress, along with depression and suicidal thoughts. The long term mental damage is a horrible consequence.
In my view, sending your child to one of these "conversion therapy" camps is not religious freedom, nor parental rights. It is simply psychological abuse. Conversion therapy should be banned, and considered a form of child abuse. The mental and emotional damage caused is immense, and sometimes irreparable. Those who send allow their children to suffer this damage should potentially lose custody.
Please discuss.
