[Lnc-business] EMAIL BALLOT 190419-1 Opposition to Conversion Therapy Resolution

[Joe Bishop-Henchman]

I vote no.

I had objected to the language in the first resolved clause because it 
has us *opposing* state legislative proposals to ban conversion therapy, 
by suggesting that existing laws against fraud and abuse are adequate to 
address this problem. They are not adequate - kids trapped in these 
programs are not able to hire a lawyer and institute a civil action for 
fraud - which is why half the states have moved to revise their 
statutes. People who *support* conversion therapy are the ones saying 
that new laws are not needed. I would support us saying nothing, and I 
would support us supporting bans on conversion therapy, but I cannot 
support us opposing bans on conversion therapy as unnecessary 
legislation, which is what this resolved clause states.

I did work with the sponsors on replacement language, which they all 
(including Ms. Harlos) accepted. I don't know whether the sponsors 
directed Ms. Harlos to revert it, or whether it happened out of 
confusion, but I cannot support it as it now stands.

JBH

------------
Joe Bishop-Henchman
LNC Member (At-Large)
joe.bishop-henchman at lp.org
www.facebook.com/groups/189510455174837

On 2019-04-19 11:12, Caryn Ann Harlos via Lnc-business wrote:
> We have an electronic mail ballot.
> 
> Votes are due to the LNC-Business list by April 26, 2019 at 11:59:59 pm
> Pacific time.
> 
> Co-Sponsors:  Harlos, Longstreth, Merced, O'Donnell, Phillips
> 
> 
> =============================================
> 
> Resolution:
> 
> 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, although children have not reached sufficient maturity to be 
> the
> full custodian of their rights which are temporarily entrusted to their
> parents or guardians, their rights to bodily integrity and intimate
> personal identification, are inalienable and coerced action that would
> fundamentally deny these rights is abusive;
> 
> 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;
> 
> WHEREAS, conversion therapy has been used in the past as a form of
> punishment for homosexuality and gender identity which does not conform 
> to
> traditional expectations; and the rights to gender and sexual identity 
> are
> fundamental rights;
> 
> WHEREAS, this conversion therapy has it's roots in unethical treatment 
> used
> since the 70's in issues such as drug use, psychiatric disorders, and
> learning disabilities, that describe humiliation, sleep deprivation, 
> sexual
> abuse, starvation, and isolation as "treatment techniques";
> 
> WHEREAS, children are often subjected to this type of therapy against 
> their
> will, even by loving and well-intentioned parents who are unaware that 
> the
> methods used in conversion therapy are extremely forceful and abusive, 
> and
> that any therapy similar to this has been shown to result in
> suicide attempts by 20% of these patients: a five-fold increase in the 
> risk
> of suicide attempts compared to other teens;
> 
> THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that therapy modeled off these abusive
> institutions, protected and/or funded by the State, constitutes 
> consumer
> fraud and forceful abuse, which the Libertarian Party opposes, and we
> oppose all laws allowing such.
> 
> FURTHER, BE IT RESOLVED, the Libertarian Party opposes subjecting 
> unwilling
> participants through force or coercion, especially children, to any 
> therapy
> that violates the non-aggression principle through any method that 
> would be
> considered abuse or torture.
> 
> =============================================
> 
> You can keep track of the Secretary's manual tally of votes here:
> https://tinyurl.com/190419-1.  Votes are noted with a link to the 
> actual
> ballot cast for verification. You can find the time that the manual 
> tally
> was last updated at the bottom of the sheet.
> 
> Please notify me of any discrepancies.
> 
> --
> 
> *  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/
> 
> =========================================================================
> 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 
> <http://www.lp.org/>*
> =========================================================================