According to this news article the Texas Republicans are considering endorsing ‘Ex-Gay Therapy’.
In recent years, ex-gay therapy has been a fringe issue that even conservatives who oppose LGBT marriage rights tend to be reluctant to publicly support. Last summer, the founder of one of the the biggest ex-gay therapy operations in the country, Exodus International, shut down and apologized for “having hurt so many.” Exodus’s president Alan Chambers also renounced the idea that there was a “cure” for sexual orientation, and admitted that his claim to have been “cured” of being gay was false. But now that California and New Jersey have passed laws banning ex-gay therapy for minors, it seems that the practice is something some conservatives believe they must defend.
I discussed the ex-Gay “movement” back in January in a piece titled: I’m Against Forcing Change. Let me quote a bit:
Exodus Randy Thomas Apologizes To The Gay Community
A huge pillar of the “ex-gay” industry fell last month when Alan Chambers publicly apologized to the gay community for the harm Exodus International did to so many thousands of people over several decades, and closed the organization’s doors. Randy Thomas, also long-affiliated with the organization, has now augmented those actions with his own personal, public apology. I find it very interesting, in part, because he echoes and expands on a theme hit by Alan and also by John Paulk, that of being used by the Religious Right. Both Alan and John have now experienced how quickly the Religious Right will turn on a person who they once claimed to love, for the sin of questioning their orthodoxy and supremacy.
So some people involved with ex-Gay are apologizing and the Republicans are thinking of taking it up. How typical. Next thing you know they will be opposing the end of Prohibition. Alcohol or pot. Take your pick. Better yet choose both. They don’t call it the Baptist/bootlegger coalition for nothing.
And lest you think I’m kidding about Ex-Jew Therapy – look up Jews for Jesus. Me? I favor the old time religion. If it was good enough for Jesus it is good enough for me.
Comments
11 responses to “Ex Jew Therapy Next?”
It really is hard to tell the preachers from the politicians these days. As I’ve said here before, one can be forgiven if he mistakes the Republican Party for a religious organization instead of a political one.
The Religious Right, keeping superstition alive into the 21st Century and beyond!
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how about ex republican therapy! this would help the cattle prod industry and we could put the un-employed to work building re-education camps.
From the document in question:
“We recognize the legitimacy and value of counseling which offers reparative therapy and treatment to patients who are seeking escape from the homosexual lifestyle. No laws or executive orders shall be imposed to limit or restrict access to this type of therapy.”
So I assume, Simon, that you are in favor of restricting access to this type of counseling by people who want it?
Personally, I doubt the effectiveness of such counseling, but that’s probably none of my business.
Neil,
I’m not into restricting anything. My question is why would a political party buy into something controversial and probably broken?
They don’t seem to be able to see themselves through the eyes of others.
The communists are very clever. They find areas where their opponents are on the wrong side of history and use the fallacy (in this case) falsus in uno falsus in omnibus.
The Rs (as constituted) are stupid on Drug Prohibition and stupid on teh Gay. And then the commies go on with “thus capitalism is a failure”.
Ah. Well.
The “smaller government party” should live up to its promise.
The proposed plank in the platform simply states a position against government interference. I can see no problem with that.
If you want “controversial and probably broken”, this doesn’t hold a candle to a President who cracks down on carbon dioxide emissions.
Why bring up the subject at all? There are much bigger issues that need the attention. A President who cracks down on carbon dioxide emissions for instance.
Neil, here is the entire plank:
Homosexuality must not be presented as an acceptable alternative lifestyle, in public policy, nor should family be redefined to include homosexual couples. We believe there should be no granting of special legal entitlements or creation of special status for homosexual behavior, regardless of state of origin.
Additionally, we oppose any criminal or civil penalties against those who oppose homosexuality out of faith, conviction, or belief in traditional values.We recognize the legitimacy and value of counseling which offers reparative therapy and treatment to patients who are seeking escape from the homosexual lifestyle. No laws or executive orders shall be imposed to limit or restrict access to this type of therapy.
In short, no privileges for perverts and they should get help. Fine, I’ll vote for the party that ended discrimination against gays in the military, and is moving toward ending the war on drugs. The sickness in the Republican Party can’t be cured because there’s no cure for stupidity.
“there’s no cure for stupidity.”
As if Dems are particularly intelligent…
Reagan had to suck up (at least rhetorically) to the religious right to be elected. Unfortunately the Reps have been attached to them in some sort of unnatural act ever since.
Note to Christers, Christholes and Christoholics: I don’t give a sweet rip what you believe in private, just keep it to yourselves. Render unto Caesar…
How about “Gays have exactly the same rights as everyone else. They’re spelled out in the Constitution” for a plank?
Gay Republicans in Texas said Friday they may stop fighting their party’s proposed endorsement of “reparative therapy” over worries that even tougher anti-gay language could be added to the party platform.
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/texas-gop-advances-reparative-therapy-gays-24020918
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So this was the mildest anti-gay platform the Republicans could devise. Why am I not encouraged by that news?
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