National religious leaders support SB 1172 to end dangerous psychological abuse of minors

Last week, we asked you to contact California Gov. Jerry Brown to urge him to sign Senate Bill 1172, a bill that will protect young LGBT people from the psychological abuse inflicted on them by deceitful mental health professionals who falsely claim to be able to change their sexual orientation or gender expression.

Today, the Rev. Rebecca Voelkel, our faith work director, joined other faith leaders in supporting California Senate Bill 1172. Read the release below:

A coalition of more than 30 national religious leaders gathered by Gaylesta, a therapy association for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, and Rev. Rebecca Voelkel, faith work director for the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Action Fund and convenor of the National Religious Leadership Roundtable, have endorsed Senate Bill 1172, which will protect minors from damaging psychological abuse by licensed mental health professionals who falsely claim they can change their sexual orientation or gender expression.

Authored by Senator Ted Lieu, SB 1172 is backed by groups such as Equality California, the National Center for Lesbian Rights, Gaylesta, Mental Health America of Northern California, Lambda Legal, and the Courage Campaign.

“We applaud these religious leaders for taking a stand against these harmful and discredited practices and helping to protect LGBT youth,”  said Clarissa Filgioun, Equality California board president.”

“We see the heartbreaking effects of this deceptive and dangerous psychological abuse and we know that, as religious leaders, we must say no. No to injury, no to suffering, no to the pain it causes.  Our religious traditions call us to affirm the worth and dignity of all God’s children – these practices denigrate that which is sacred in all people and they must be stopped,” said Rev. Rebecca Voelkel, faith work director for the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Action Fund and convenor of the National Religious Leadership Roundtable.

“All children are created in the image of God, beloved just as they are. Subjecting minors to these potentially dangerous and discredited practices would be like handing your child a stone when they ask for bread,” said Patrick Evans, interim executive director of More Light Presbyterians. “It is important that people of faith speak out against these harmful methods and protect the vulnerable from coercive practices which declare them to be inferior in the sight of God. SB 1172 does exactly that.”

“In our years of ministering to LGBT Catholics, we have seen the devastation wrought by this damaging psychological abuse, and know the years of legitimate therapy, prayer and reflection required to return victims to a healthy, whole identity,” said Marianne Duddy-Burke, executive director of Dignity USA, an LGBT Catholic organization. “We know that we are blessed, whole, and healthy people, and SB 1172 removes the fear of psychological abuse for young people yearning for the freedom to love.”

The lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender faith leaders who spoke in favor of SB 1172 see firsthand the deep psychological, emotional and spiritual effects of the damaging attempts to change the orientation of LGBT minors. They also feel that this is a moral issue, upon which they must take a firm stand, recognizing the intrinsic dignity and perfection of all LGBT youth.

The 32 religious organizations endorsing SB 1172 are:

The Task Force’s National Religious Leadership Roundtable, an interfaith network of leaders from pro-LGBT faith, spiritual and religious organizations
A Wider Bridge, bridging the LGBTQ communities of Israel & North America
Believe Out Loud Network
Dignity USA (LGBT Catholics)
Dignity San Diego
Ecumenical Catholic Church Faith in America
Glory to Glory Christian Church, United Church of Christ
Integrity USA (LGBT Episcopalians)
Institute for Judaism, Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity, Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion
Keshet, LGBT Jewish Network
Many Voices: A Black Church Movement for Gay & Transgender Justice
First Metropolitan Community Church of Atlanta, GA
Metropolitan Community Church of the Valley
Metropolitan Community Church – New England Ministries
Metropolitan Community Church of Albuquerque
Metropolitan Community Church of Austin
Metropolitan Community Church of the Blue Ridge
Metropolitan Community Church of Central Texas Metropolitan Community Church of Sarasota
Metropolitan Community Churches – Office of Church Life & Health
Metropolitan Community Churches – USA
Metropolitan Community Churches – Office of Emerging Ministries
More Light Presbyterians
Muslims for Progressive Values
New Ways Ministries (a gay-positive ministry of advocacy and justice for LGBT Catholics)
Progressive Christians Uniting
Reconciling Ministries Network: United Methodists
Reconciling Works: Lutherans for Full Participation
Religious Institute Faithful Voices on Sexuality and Religion
Seventh-day Adventist Kinship International
SoulForce

The faith leaders who have registered support for SB 1172 have sent letters to Governor Jerry Brown, urging him to sign the measure. The governor has until September 30th to sign or veto the bill or it will become law on January 1st, 2013.