With the Virginia General Assembly in session, not a day seems to go by when Christofascists in Virginia, typically lead by the hate merchants at The Family Foundation, do not oppose any and every legislative proposal that would lessen anti-gay bigotry in Virginia. Among the bills that have been introduced are bills that would ban ex-gay therapy for minors. As previous posts have made clear, such therapy is nothing less than child abuse and, in addition to banning the practice, if I had my way I would add criminal penalties for parents that try to subject their children to the fraudulent, witch doctor like therapy. The Washington Post looks at the ongoing battle, including the typical lies rolling off the lips Victoria Cobb, president of The Family Foundation. As noted many times, sustaining the "ex-gay" myth is a key lynch pin to the Christofascists' anti-gay political propaganda and they will engage in every conceivable lie and subterfuge to block legislation that would ban the harmful therapy. Here are story highlights:
RICHMOND — Apryl Prentiss was raised a faithful Christian, and she loved church. So when she realized she was a lesbian, she was terrified and ashamed. She sought out reparative therapy for gays who wanted to be straight. The years she spent there, followed by two in a Christian ex-gay program in Virginia Beach, were “the darkest of my life,” she said Monday during a news conference at the Virginia Capitol. “I absolutely detested myself.”
That’s why she’s supporting a bill from Del. Patrick A. Hope (D-Arlington) to ban the practice of reparative or conversion therapy by mental health professionals trying to “cure” minors of being gay. The practice is increasingly seen as anti-gay at a time when more and more Americans view sexual orientation not as a choice or lifestyle, and see gays as a group deserving of legal protection.
The ban would not affect religious counseling that does not involve licensed therapists or adults who seek out the therapy on their own. It would bar professional therapists from practicing conversion therapy, which the American Psychiatric Association opposes, on children younger than 18.
It’s “a very shadowy arena,” said Victoria Bragunier, the director of public policy for the Alliance for Progressive Values.
California and New Jersey have enacted similar bans, both of which have withstood legal challenges.
Social conservatives argue that the ban would intrude on the rights of therapists and families.
“It’s astonishing that the party that claims to defend choice and free speech [is] bent on limiting both for counselors, parents and kids struggling with their sexuality,” Family Foundation President Victoria Cobb said in a statement.
Virginia Democrats are pushing several gay rights initiatives, capitalizing on an area in which public sentiment has moved dramatically during the past decade — and forcing Republicans to take positions on an issue for which their party’s base is out of step with most Americans.
Hope acknowledged Monday that it would be hard to get the bill through the House of Delegates, which is Republican-dominated. But he suggested that it was the right time to begin debate on the issue, even if the legislation does not pass this year.
As for Victoria Cobb, in my opinion, the vilest, nastiest, tawdriest whore has more honesty and integrity than Ms. Cobb. The woman is pure evil and seeks nothing less than special rights - including the right to abuse children - for Christofascists. If she could, she would overthrow both the Virginia and U.S. Constitutions. If there is a Hell, in my view, Ms. Cobb has a reserved seat.
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