Liberty Counsel is suing to stop this growing effort to end the practice of “ex-gay” therapy. Mat Staver, founder and chairman of Liberty Counsel, issued this statement today:
“The California governor and legislature are putting their own preconceived notions and political ideology ahead of children and their rights to get access to counseling that meets their needs. A number of minors who have struggled with same-sex attraction have been able to reduce or eliminate the stress and conflicts in their lives by receiving counseling of their choice which best meets their needs and religious convictions. This bill will harm children, stress families, and place counselors in a catch-22, because they will be forced to violate their licensing ethical codes …”
“We are filing on behalf of mental health professionals who find themselves in a catch-22. … This bill and the ethical codes of all of the licensing boards in California are on an inevitable collision course. The licenses of countless mental health professionals hang in the balance. … This law undermines parental rights. Mental health decisions should be left to the patient, the parents, and the counselors – not to the government to license one viewpoint.”
Good luck to Liberty Counsel selling quack therapy that has failed on so many levels. Staver can start by explaining how Liberty University used Michael Johnston as an example of a healed homosexual — only to find that the HIV+ “ex-gay” was having bareback orgies in seedy motel rooms with men. Mr. Staver, we look forward to watching you embarrass you and your cause in court.
