[Lnc-business] Resolution Condemning Conversion Therapies

[Caryn Ann Harlos]

I cannot support with the appeals to authority outside of basic rights.
Medical associations once touted this stuff - it’s no longer pure science,
it’s politics.

And we don’t get our ethics from them.

This does little to nothing to show how we are different from the hordes of
people condemning and it gives the impression of being just another virtue
signal by a political party.

Get some bold Libertarianism up in there.

Yesterday I said I wouldn’t oppose.  I am rethinking that.  The comments of
my colleagues and further reflection on my own objections is leading me in
the direction that these “safe” political signals actually harm the Party
as we become background political noise.

It would hurt my heart to oppose but I’m beginning to think I will.

I urge the sponsors to rethink.  I’m not sure you have the votes by my
count.

Some folks will not support in any event.  Others like me would if it moved
beyond political platitudes.

If you want to pass you may need to appeal to the swing voters.  I’m
guessing at least five no’s right now.

Otherwise I suggest speaking to Lauren about a press release or something
other than a resolution.



-Caryn Ann

On Thu, Apr 11, 2019 at 10:50 AM John Phillips via Lnc-business <
lnc-business at hq.lp.org> wrote:

> I agree with Mr Lyons.  My wording changes were for the most part
> organizational, not substantive.  Where they are substantive it is because
> I thought the statement needed to be stronger.  Conversion therapy is
> torture plain and simple. Something the LP has long stood against.
>
> So here is my proposed revision.  Not married to it if people like the
> original better. Or some variation.
>
> "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;
>
> WHEREAS, Conversion therapy for sexual orientation is now considered
> unethical by The American Psychiatric Association, The American Academy of
> Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, American Medical Association, American
> Academy of Pediatrics, and American Psychological Association;
>
> WHEREAS, conversion therapy has been experimented with 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;
>
> WHEREAS, the U.S. Court of Appeals in the 3rd and 9th Circuits  have both
> upheld the Ban on Conversion Therapy for Minors, the Supreme Court of the
> United States has declined to review those decisions, and  has upheld the
> decision of a lower court in New Jersey where a 12-person jury unanimously
> declared it "Consumer Fraud";
>
> 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;
>
>
> WHEREAS, the Libertarian party holds that provided that the rights of
> children to be free from abuse and neglect are also protected,  parents
> and/or other guardians have the right to raise their children according to
> their own standards and beliefs;
>
> Whereas, the Libertarian Party opposes the use of torture and other cruel
> and unusual punishments, without exception;
>
> THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, Conversion therapy, also called "reparative
> therapy," "reorientation therapy," or "ex-gay therapy" constitutes consumer
> fraud, forceful abuse, and torture.  All of which the Libertarian Party
> opposes.
>
> 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."
>
> 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 <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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