[Lnc-business] Resolution Condemning Conversion Therapies

[Alex Merced (LNC Vice Chair)]

Some input from LP member, Trish Lynch

”As someone who is one of the people Jeff talked to about this issue,
and a survivor of this "therapy" myself, I want to suggest a couple
things.

First of all, this is not an issue that specifically affects the LGBT
community. The business of conversion therapy grew out of harmful,
abusive and unethical practices that have taken place since the 70's
in the name of the drug war. Then they expanded out into "curing"
psychiatric disorders (including eating disorders, ADHD, post
traumatic stress disorder (a girl who was abused by her brother was in
KIDS/Straight for 13 years held against her will), autism, etc) - and
also LGBT people. I personally was labeled as a "sexual compulsion",
and spent nearly two years tortured against my will, starved, beaten,
raped, humiliated, could not go to the bathroom by myself, read
ANYTHING (even a milk carton), or use a blanket at night - even when
it was COLD (I may masturbate if I did.) We could only speak when
given permission. We were deprived of sleep, and kept suggestible.

A little info here: http://thestraights.net/gop.htm- and this goes to
a huge crux of the matter.  These places have long been shielded and
even supported by people in our government. Republicans and Democrats
alike (in 2008, we tried to get a bill passed to just allow kids to
talk to their parents without being monitored, which would have put a
nail in their coffins.)

We testified at GAO hearings, won a few lawsuits, but not until the
LGBT community became a crux of this was there any movement, and it in
my opinion is all virtue signalling.

If I had my druthers, I'd widen the scope of this - ANY treatment that
uses the above techniques which were given to The Seed (the first one
of these places for drug use, but many never did drugs, and they never
turned anyone away, no kid was ever "normal") by George HW Bush and is
in the vein of brainwashing should ever be performed on ANY child.
Ever.

Also on the "conversion therapy" - here is some writing I did on the matter.

https://goodmenproject.com/featured-content/reparative-therapy-is-bad-medicine-even-if-it-works-wcz/

There's also a movie they don't want to be distributed publicly I sent
to Jeff last night that I can send individually to LNC members if
asked.

And the movie "Over the GW" which was about the place I was in
specifically, years later when it all fell apart and the group of kids
was small. Made by my very good friend Nick.

I agree with Caryn Ann that the practice is harmful in and of itself
particularly to LGBT kids who can't change their identity any more
than I can swap a foot off my body, but this is a Liberty issue that
has ties into forced psychiatry, the drug war, and everything that we
as Libertarians stand against. It is such a large issue, and to see
the LP address even a part of it has been my dream for the 23 years I
have been a part of the LP.

Thanks for listening.

-Trish”

Alex Merced
Vice Chair of the Libertarian National Committee/LP

> On Apr 10, 2019, at 2:51 PM, Jeff Lyons via Lnc-business <lnc-business at hq.lp.org> wrote:
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> We will not work together on anything until Libertarians agree on everything? That will be the day!
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> Get Outlook for Android
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> On Wed, Apr 10, 2019 at 2:45 PM -0400, "Caryn Ann Harlos" <caryn.ann.harlos at lp.org> wrote:
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> Property rights are not merely economic systems and are not voluntary vis a vis each other.
> Immigration is just as important an issue.
> We should be supporting all Libertarian resolutions or none.
> I’m beginning to agree with Ms. Mattson that’s it’s all a waste of time and propping up the hobby horses of whoever happens to be popular at the moment.
> No one is confused about our position on conversion therapy.
> Staff can send out a press release and other statements.
> If there’s not a level playing field, the game is a waste of time.
> There are members deeply offended by the no votes on the immigration resolution on which there is no confusion.
> There is no confusion on conversion therapy.  It’s horrid.  
> Until we start to agree that we will mutually support Libertarian resolutions regardless of our personal opinion I’m joining the group that says we have other things to do.
> Children are abused by the thousands at our borders yet that barely passed.
> We will all have resolutions we hope to pass- treating them equally will benefit all.
> Until we decide to work together on bold Libertarian statements I will not support.
> This isn’t bold.  It’s safe.  Parents have no right to a child’s personal identity.  Let’s say that and say something that isn’t said by everyone.
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> On Wed, Apr 10, 2019 at 12:01 PM Jeff Lyons <jeff.lyons at lp.org> wrote:
> Good Afternoon,
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> I opposed the property Rights resolution because I see no reason to cast out or turn away people who believe in various voluntary economic theories which may include Libertarian Socialists or Anarcho-Communists, so long as they advocate for non-violence and voluntarism.
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> I spoke harshly about a resolution against the Wall, because I believed it was piling on fruitless arguments dominated by the larger olde parties, which would provide no advantage to Libertarians only to perpetuate counter-productive conversations controlled by the olde parties they use as distractions and deflections from real issues.  We are too often forced to take the fight to our larger opponents and fight these issues on their terms in their territory and attempt to convert zealous and fervent supporters radicalized by hyper-partisan loyalty.  I view this as tactically unwise.  I don't want to talk about what the olde parties WANT everyone to talk about.
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> I want the Libertarian Party to express positions that give us the advantage of making the olde parties come after us with their response, on issues we can carve out a distinct position and force them to distinguish their views from us or to suffer to agree with us.  Bold positions on Gay Marriage Rights, Cannabis Rights, Ending the Drug War, etc.  This is where we have been most successful at convincing the American People to come around to our way of thinking.
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> The Democrats and Republicans so often force one another to contrast with their opponents that it has resulted in their completely incoherent political platforms.  Our platform and ideology is firmly rooted in Liberty and non-aggression, and we should help the Democrats and Republicans reveal themselves as too weak or too authoritative on various issues for the mantle of responsibility in governments sole duty to protect of individual rights, and help voters realize there are more important issues that need to be addressed beyond partisan bickering.
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> I propose this resolution because I have recently learned of the horrors of Conversion Therapy and I believe like other LGBT rights that we have been on the front lines as the standard bearers, we should take the lead on educating the public on this issue and empowering individuals to stand up against these practices of Conversion Therapy which are equivalent to internment camps and forced indoctrination.  
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> This is an educational tool that can be used to empower activists and bring people together under the Libertarian Banner to fight against cruelty and abuse of children.  We should be the party that helps these people achieve civil liberties in our lifetime.
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> Thank you all and please support this resolution.
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> Again, I welcome edits and suggestions prior to calling a vote.
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> Very respectfully,
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> Jeff Lyons
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> LNC 8A
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> Get Outlook for Android
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> On Wed, Apr 10, 2019 at 1:14 PM -0400, "Caryn Ann Harlos via Lnc-business" <lnc-business at hq.lp.org> wrote:
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> It’s not wrong because some group deemed it unethical.  It’s wrong because
> there’s nothing wrong with being gay and children have bodily autonomy in
> self identification.
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> Word it stronger about children’s rights to deal with an actual issue in
> our party rather than something everyone already knows.
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> Or we could be really brave and come out against male genital mutilation
> which happens by the thousands every single day.
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> On Wed, Apr 10, 2019 at 10:33 AM John Phillips via Lnc-business <
> lnc-business at hq.lp.org> wrote:
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>> I am totally in agreement with the intent.  I think a small bit of
>> trimming and rewording might be in order.  When I get a few minutes later I
>> ll look again.
>> 
>> John Phillips
>> Libertarian National Committee Region 6 Representative
>> Cell 217-412-5973
>> 
> -- 
> 
> *  In Liberty,*
> 
> *Libertarian Party and Libertarian National Committee Secretary *- Caryn.Ann.
> Harlos at LP.org  or Secretary at LP.org.
> *Chair, LP Historical Preservation Committee* - LPedia at LP.org
> Call me at 561.523.2250 and follow my public figure page at
> facebook.com/pinkflameofliberty/
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> -- 
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>   In Liberty,
> Libertarian Party and Libertarian National Committee Secretary - Caryn.Ann. Harlos at LP.org or Secretary at LP.org.Chair, LP Historical Preservation Committee - LPedia at LP.org
> Call me at 561.523.2250 and follow my public figure page at facebook.com/pinkflameofliberty/
> =========================================================================Peaceful Commerce With All Nations * Non-interventionism * Re-Legalize All Drugs * End Government Intrusion In The Bedroom * Repeal All Gun Laws * Abolish All Taxation * Sound, Free-market Money * Abolish The Fed * End Corporate & Individual Welfare * Abolish The IRS and Repeal the Income Tax * Privatize Transportation Infrastructure * Free-market Emergency Services * Open Migration * Transfer Government Schools To The Private Sector * Eliminate Regulation * 
> VOTE LIBERTARIAN * 800-ELECT-US or http://www.LP.org=========================================================================
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