[Lnc-business] Resolution Condemning Conversion Therapies

[Susan Hogarth]

This resolution certainly is hard to speak against. But I will.   
  

  
  

 I feel this is problematic for us as a political party. We should be addressing the role of the state in people’s lives, not weighing in on practices individuals choose.   
  

  
Absolutely we are against individuals aggressing against others, but I don’t think it makes sense for us *as a political party* to issue statements condemning individual aggressions. Especially in the case where legislation to ban such practices is under discussion, this makes it seem as if we support state bans. (And guess what, harming people is already illegal).   
  
  
  
  
  Susan Jane Hogarth
  
  Region 5 Alternate
  
  919-906-2106 (tel:919-906-2106)
  
  
  
  

  
  
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> On Apr 10, 2019 at 11:56 AM,  <Jeff Lyons via Lnc-business (mailto:lnc-business at hq.lp.org)>  wrote:
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>  Good Morning,  
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>  I found a subject that I do not believe our platform addresses clearly enough and there has been some debate internally and externally about a recent decision in Massachusetts to ban Conversion Therapy for Minors, because that might include government intervention into how parents choose to raise children.  
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> After doing some research and speaking with members of the Libertarian Party who: have been personally exposed to this unwillingly as children, were unable to communicate privately with their parents about the true nature of this physical torture, were physically restrained and beaten for attempting to be released from these concentration camps even upon reaching adulthood, and their parents were convinced to sign their child up for Social Security / Disability and pass that government money on to the Therapists to unwittingly pay for the indefinite treatment of detained children, even into adulthood, with absolutely no achievable criterion for patients to win back their freedom; I am DEEPLY disturbed that such a thing is still ongoing in modern America.  
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> Therefore, I will propose the following resolution. I hope you will co-sponsor and I welcome any input and revision that will more strongly codify the Libertarian Party stance in SUPPORT of LGBTQ+ communities and AGAINST torture and involuntary detainment.  
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> Draft:  
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> "WHEREAS, the Libertarian Party asserts that all individuals have the right to exercise sole dominion over their own lives, and have the right to live in whatever manner they choose, so long as they do not forcibly interfere with the equal right of others to live in whatever manner they choose;  
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> WHEREAS, parents, or other guardians, have the right to raise their children according to their own standards and beliefs, provided that the rights of children to be free from abuse and neglect are also protected;  
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> WHEREAS, Conversion therapy for sexual orientation is now considered unethical by both The American Psychiatric Association and The American Academy of Child  &  Adolescent Psychiatry;  
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> WHEREAS, the Supreme Court has declined to review and shown no concern with the decision of the U.S. Court of Appeals in the 3rd and 9th Circuits which have upheld the Ban on Conversion Therapy for Minors, and upheld the decision of a lower court in New Jersey where a 12-person jury unanimously declared it "Consumer Fraud".  
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> WHEREAS, conversion therapy has been experimented in the past as a form of punishment for homosexuality, and there has been no evidence whatsoever that conversion therapy can successfully alter the gender identity or sexual orientation of unwilling participants;  
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> WHEREAS, children are often subjected to conversion therapy against their will by loving parents whom are unaware that the methods used in conversion therapy are extremely forceful and abusive, often utilizing psychological torture, physical punishment, starvation, aversive treatments, and public shaming or embarrassing a child whenever they display undesired behaviors, and that conversion therapy has been shown to result in suicide attempts by 20% of these patients: a five-fold increase in risk of suicide attempts compared to other teens;  
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> THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, Conversion therapy, also called "reparative therapy," "reorientation therapy," or "ex-gay therapy" constitutes consumer fraud and forceful abuse, which the Libertarian Party opposes.  
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> FURTHER, BE IT RESOLVED, the Libertarian Party opposes subjecting unwilling participants through force or coercion, especially children, to conversion therapy treatment or other forms of counseling expressly designed to alter their gender identity, sexual orientation, or hormonal balance."  
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> Thank you for all you do for the Liberty of others and I believe in this case there are some who sorely need our help.  
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> Thank you.  
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> Very Respectfully,  
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> Jeff Lyons  
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> LNC Region 8 Alternate  
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> Get Outlook for Android  
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