Failure to ban conversion therapy hurts LGBTQ people

Belen Sassone/ Contributing Writer

When given the opportunity to save thousands of innocent people from the traumatizing practice of conversion therapy, Miami-Dade commissioners dropped the ball.

On Oct. 3, after hours of powerful testimony, especially that of Wilton Manor Vice Mayor Justin Flippen, who endured conversion therapy as a child, a 4-7 vote rejected a ban on gay-conversion therapy for minors.

The proponents of the ban were unsuccessful because many believed that the wording of the ban infringed on the rights of parents to assess their child’s mental health and express concerns about their sexuality.

They also felt that it prohibited religious officials and therapists to have open conversations about sexuality.

Commissioner Rebecca Sosa, who voted against the ban, did so because she felt that parents have rights over their children.

“If you make a decision about your children that, in the end, is wrong, that’s your responsibility … I think government has to be respectful of that right,” she said.

The problem with allowing parents to make choices about their child’s sexuality is that many parents express homophobia towards their own children. They may send them to equally prejudiced pastors, camps and therapists in an attempt to reverse something natural.

None of the people talking to them about their sexuality and attractions will try to be accepting and understanding. Instead, it will be drilled into their brain that what they feel is wrong and should be repressed, causing psychological damage that will most likely remain forever.

If someone is unable to love and accept their child no matter who they are, then they should not have children in the first place. No one should be subjected to torture because their parents are closed-minded and ignorant.

Those who undergo “reparative” treatments are eight times more likely to attempt suicide, six times as likely to report high levels of depression, and more than three times as likely to use illegal drugs, according to the American Psychological Association

These statistics are probably so high because conversion therapy simply doesn’t work. Anyone who tells you that you can successfully “pray the gay away” is delusional.

There is nothing unnatural about homosexuality, and it’s definitely not something that needs to be taken away in order for you to become a better person.

Instead, children who are sure of their sexuality at a young age should be taught to embrace it, and live their lives how they wish to.

The decision by the commissioners is truly disappointing, and it’s shocking that everyone who voted no on the ban can sleep comfortably knowing that they could have prevented many children from having to live a lie to please the selfish people around them.

 

DISCLAIMER:

The opinions presented within this page do not represent the views of Panther Press Editorial Board. These views are separate from editorials and reflect individual perspectives of contributing writers and/or members of the University community.

 

Photo taken from Flickr.

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