Missouri AG Argues Against Kansas City Conversion Therapy Bans

For what it's worth . . . We respect the AG and a great deal of the work he has performed on behalf of KC taxpayers.

However . . .

HE'S JUST WRONG ABOUT CONVERSATION THERAPY & HE'S USING A STRAWMAN ARGUMENT TO PROMOTE DANGEROUS PSEUDOSCIENCE!!!  

There are countless stories about conversion therapy abuse and trauma. In fact, there are more than a few movies that range from drama to bawdy comedy regarding the legacy of conversation therapy. 

The best flick is actually an oldie but still worth a watch: 

But I'm a Cheerleader

To his credit . . .

We don't think the AG is out to hurt youngsters, he's just advocating for people who are either misguided or willfully misleading the public. 

In fact, a situation the AG describes that seems like a reasonable conversation about gender with counselors IS NOT banned . . . Again, he's using a strawman fallacy to advocate for a practice that is far more detrimental and, even worse, has ZERO PEER REVIEWED RESEARCH to back up any efficacy.  

Again . . .

We believe the AG honestly wants the very best for Missouri youngsters but his testimony WILLFULLY NEGLECTS so many personal stories and horrific experiences from youngsters who were subjected to this unsanctioned psychological treatment. 

For us, this passage from a recent report sums up arguments against the practice . . . 

"Conversion therapy is opposed by several medical organizations, including the American Psychiatric Association, the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, because they say the practice is ineffective and dangerous. There is “no medical or scientific evidence” conversion therapy works, and it’s based on the assumptions—which aren’t backed by science—that homosexuality and gender nonconformity are mental disorders, and that sexual orientation and gender identity can be changed, according to the AMA."

In fairness, here's the main quote from the AG and a link to more info . . .

"These local governments have adopted ordinances — which they misleadingly call conversion therapy bans — that prohibit voluntary conversations between counselors and minor clients that aim to help the client embrace his or her sex. But the ban is a one-way street. Going the opposite direction, the ordinances allow counselors to drive young people toward identifying contrary to their sex. Under this logic, counselors may encourage children to pursue irreversible surgeries and drugs to look like the opposite sex, but counselors cannot explore the truth about a child’s sex to save them from these harms. The ordinances are broad, too.

"They apply to “any” counseling — including counseling that is nothing but voluntary discussions between counselor and client. They even apply when clients specifically seek out counseling to help them align their identity with their body."

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .

Andrew Bailey: Kansas City, Jackson County counseling censorship hurts young people | Opinion

Local bans in Kansas City restrict conversion therapy counseling rights. Missouri's attorney general is suing to protect free speech.