Former homosexuals urge California Dems to give them a voice on reparative therapy ban

Sep 8, 2018 by Jill

by Calvin Freiburger, LifeSite:

A group dedicated to representing those who struggle with and have overcome homosexual attractions is warning California Assemblyman Evan Low not to ignore those who left the homosexual lifestyle when attempting to revive his ill-fated ban on reparative (“conversion”) therapy next year.

Low, an openly-homosexual Democrat, withdrew Assembly Bill 2943 last week, despite the measure passing both chambers of the state legislature. AB 2943 would have barred minors and adults alike from obtaining “sexual orientation change efforts,” regardless of their wishes. Critics say its language was broad enough to ban the sale of books endorsing the practice, as well as other forms of constitutionally-protected speech.

Democrats and pro-LGBT groups denied those charges, but ultimately the protests of religious Californians proved too intense to ignore, leading Low to scuttle the bill instead of seeking a signature from Democrat Gov. Jerry Brown.

“I believe every person who attended these meetings left with a greater understanding for the underlying reason and intention of this bill to create a loving and inclusive environment for all,” Low said. “However, I believe there is still more to learn.”

But while various Christian groups thanked Low for listening to dissenting constituents, Low still intends to attempt a different version of the bill next year. Voice of the Voiceless says that now is the time to hold him to his pledge to listen to everyone.

“I don’t see any evidence of Low traveling up and down the state. Could he please elaborate?” the group’s president, Daren Mehl, asked in a press release. “Please publish your agenda, the locations, and the people you met with. Why didn’t you post any of these meetings or summaries of the discussions you had on social media? Which faith leaders?”

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