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Adventures in lobbying

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Illinois

* From Sen. Daniel Biss…

Today the Illinois General Assembly took a stand against subjecting Illinois children to harmful mental health practices. Sadly, many have been victims of a harmful pseudo-scientific procedure. It is called “gay conversion therapy,” and is an attempt to change a young person’s sexual orientation from gay to straight.

To eradicate this practice and protect our young people, Senator Daniel Biss (D – Evanston) passed legislation through the General Assembly today that will prohibit licensed mental health professionals from providing such therapies.

The legislation states that no one under 18 should be given therapy or referred to therapy that has a goal of changing his or her sexual orientation, and mental health providers that do so will be considered to have unprofessional conduct and will be disciplined accordingly.

“We must confront the reality that conversion therapy can cause anxiety, mental illness, trauma and can increase the risk of suicide,” said Senator Biss. “I will continue to fight for the rights and health of the LGBTQ community in Illinois, and to keep our children safe, just the way they are.”

Many organizations of mental health professionals, such as the Illinois Psychological Association, the American Psychoanalytic Association and the Illinois Psychiatric Society are strongly opposed to this practice because they deem it to be dangerous.

* From the Illinois Family Institute…

Yesterday afternoon, the Illinois Senate voted 34-19-1 to pass HB 217, a bill that will censor professional therapists who want to help children who suffer from unchosen, unwanted same-sex attraction. Republican State SenatorsChristine Radogno (Lemont) and Chris Nybo (Hinsdale) voted with the majority of Democrats to pass this tyrannical legislation. Five state senators did not vote, while State Senator Bill Haine (D-Alton) voted present — which is as good as a “no” vote. […]

The bill now moves to Governor Bruce Rauner. While he campaigned as a “no social issues” candidate in 2014, he now has to face the reality that the Illinois General Assembly is filled with politicians who want to advance radical legislation dealing with social issues–many of whom want to champion a far left social agenda agenda. Gov. Rauner will now be compelled to reveal his position on this highly divisive and controversial “social” issue.

* From Kyle Hillman yesterday…

In the time I have been lobbying for social workers rarely have I seen an opponent help me close a bill as well as [the Illinois Family Institute] and Concerned Christian Americans did today.

The Chicago Tribune ran an Op-Ed yesterday titled “What should you do if your son says he’s a girl?” by Northwestern professor J. Michael Bailey.

The article was picked up by the Illinois Family Institute today and faxed to every Senator. Rev. Bob Vandenbosch is even hand delivering a copy of the article to Senate legislators while we speak. Except there was one problem, no one asked the author about HB 217.

So I did.

Turns out he is adamantly against efforts to convert a child’s sexual orientation and even supports the bill. (The subject in the article he wrote - HB 217 specifically does not ban.)

—–Original Message—–
From: Michael Bailey [mailto:xxxxxx.edu]
Sent: Thursday, May 28, 2015 12:27 PM
To: Kyle Hillman
Subject: Re: Bill Language.

Left you a phone message. The bill seems to be about sexual orientation, only, and as such, I support it.

Oops.

Also, Gov. Rauner is expected to sign the bill.

Game over.

posted by Rich Miller
Saturday, May 30, 15 @ 1:05 pm

Comments

Good on the GA and, hopefully, Gov. Rauner in protecting children from these hateful quacks.

Comment by Wordslinger Saturday, May 30, 15 @ 1:14 pm
Another skillful use of facts and science by the IFI.

/snark

Comment by walker Saturday, May 30, 15 @ 1:15 pm
Did the IFI even listen to the debate?! Senator Biss clearly stated that RELIGIOUS OFFICIALS can still offer therapy. They are exempted. This applies ONLY to licensed, typically secular professionals. That is one of the reason why there were so many amendments filed and why the negotiations were so lengthy.

Comment by Team Sleep Saturday, May 30, 15 @ 1:21 pm
Reading the IFI’s statement, it’s apparent my biology teachers lied to me: dinosaurs still walk the earth.

Comment by Harold's Left-wing Dinner Saturday, May 30, 15 @ 1:56 pm
While we’re on the subject of pseudoscience, it’s time to repeal the embarrassing Mercury Free Vaccine Act.

Comment by Confused Saturday, May 30, 15 @ 1:59 pm
The therapy sounds dubious, but that’s not the issue.

What about the constitutional right of privacy of the child and of his parents? Where does the State get off banning a procedure just because they disapprove? Didn’t anybody in the GA read Roe v. Wade (410 U.S. 113 (1973)).

Comment by Anon III Saturday, May 30, 15 @ 2:45 pm
Fully agree! We should bring back leech treatments and electroshock therapy!

Comment by Anon Saturday, May 30, 15 @ 5:53 pm
Electroconvulsive shock therapy, which is no longer remotely like One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, is a safe and effective treatment for certain mental illnesses that saves many lives every year. Please don’t compare it to fake medical treatments.

Comment by Anonymous Saturday, May 30, 15 @ 7:23 pm
Electroshock therapy has a dubious history of being used in awful ways in the past. Including electroshock therapy treatments directly on male genitalia to try and “cure” homosexuality. It was also used against women and those deemed hysterical for years. There are extremely cruel stories about electroshock therapy uses in past decades. Thank God we know better today.

Comment by sideline watcher Sunday, May 31, 15 @ 9:06 am