Bill Targeting Faith-Based Counselors Up Tomorrow!
Tomorrow, the House Committee on Health, Welfare and Institutions will hear SB 245 (Surovell, D-36) that would prevent parents from seeking counseling for their children who may struggle with their sexual identity or are experiencing unwanted same-sex attractions. Under this bill, if any licensed health professionals (counselors, psychologists, physicians, etc.) merely provides talk therapy for that purpose to these minors, they risk having their license taken away, jeopardizing their careers and livelihood.
Incredibly, however, SB 245 would allow licensed professionals to provide “acceptance, support, and understanding” to a minor undergoing “gender transition” or exploring unnatural sexual desires!
ACTION: Urge your Delegate on this committee to OPPOSE SB 245!
There are some who assert that licensed professionals who help clients overcome their unwanted sexual feelings are providing a service that’s not effective and even harmful. But to suggest that this kind of talk therapy does not work is an insult to the countless individuals whose lives have been transformed through effective counseling.
The truth is there are many inspiring success stories of people who have found help, healing, and wholeness in the sexual identity through counseling. The Changed movement is a great example of a group of overcomers who used to identify as LGBTQ but through transformative power of faith-and-science-based counseling have walked away from that lifestyle.
This bill is part of a larger concerted effort to not only prevent licensed counselors from providing valuable talk therapy to struggling minors to overcome unwanted same-sex desires or gender dysphoria, but to silence all religious professionals licensed by the state.
Don’t let the General Assembly squash a parent’s ability to get the best care for their child, or stifle licensed professionals from providing this vital care.
Please Tell Your Delegate to Respect Parental Rights and Rights of Conscience
Thank you!
