Christian Ministry Cancels Conference for Fear of Conversion Ban

A Colorado-based Christian ministry that espouses conversion therapy has canceled its California conferences this June over a bill in that state's legislature that seeks to ban the harmful anti-LGBT practice, saying its Christian speakers would be "fair game for discrimination, smears, and frivolous lawsuits." But it looks as though Summit Ministries won't be holding any conferences in Hawaii either, as that state's lawmakers just passed a ban on conversion therapy for minors, the Associated Press reports.

"Our speakers are leading Christian experts who base their presentations on theology, as well as sociology, psychology, and science," Summit Ministries' President Jeff Myers said in a statement. "But the wording of [California's] AB 2943 is a dog whistle to the left that intelligent Christians holding traditional views are fair game for discrimination, smears, and frivolous lawsuits."

The California bill, which passed in the Assembly in April and is headed to the Senate, would also ban all advertising for services that purport to change a person's sexual identity, a move that Christian groups say will lead to the state banning the Bible and other Christian books, reports The Denver Post.

California already bars licensed mental health professionals from performing conversion therapy on anyone under 18, but the new bill, authored by Assemblyman Evan Low, would ban the practice beyond its use on minors, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Trending stories

Joe Biden has tied the record for most LGBTQ+ judges confirmed in federal courts

Out and About with Karan Soni

Plastique Tiara reaches 4M followers—close to surpassing Trixie Mattel

Your Lovable Trans Auntie asks, "Where do we go from here?"

Broadway bound: The best hotels in NYC’s Theater District for every type of traveler

France becomes world’s first country to enshrine abortion rights in constitution

​'Naked Gun' trailer: Liam Neeson dons drag, reveals strawberry panties​

Cowboys & Queens U.S. tour by Jane Hilton: A modern American dream

Trump's orders prompt CDC to erase HIV resources

Beyond Wonderland's accepting & unifying rave culture is needed more than ever

The Charles is Pacific Grove's new LGBTQ+ hotel

Dylan Efron dishes on his sexy back arch & Speedo pics: 'That's what I'm good at!'

Tracy Chapman's debut album turns 35: Watch these iconic performances

How climate disasters hurt mental health in young people

When Lady Gaga met Chappell Roan, she made sure to tell her this

Season 4 of The Switch on resilience & radical self-love returns this spring

Ranking NWSL teams by how gay the name is

Discover the power of Wellness in your life

Matt Bomer reveals his favorite 'Fellow Travelers' sex scene with Jonathan Bailey

Robert Irwin is stripping down & rocking tiny briefs in new underwear campaign

Elon Musk uses burner accounts on X, doesn’t fact-check: report

Broadway's best raise over $1 million for LGBTQ+ and HIV causes

Peaches Christ says she's been 'retraumatized' by police investigating drag icon Heklina's death

All 6 rogue Mississippi cops got long prison sentences in 'Goon Squad' torture of 2 Black men

Gerald Garth is keeping people of color happy and healthy through trying times

• 0
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8

The bill that just passed in Hawaii's legislature bars licensed mental health professionals from attempting to change the sexual identity of people under 18 and that anyone who attempts to do so will be "subject to disciplinary action by a professional licensing authority," the AP reports. Gov. David Ige is expected to sign it into law.

When introducing the California ban on conversion therapy, Low told the Assembly about his struggles with sexual identity and depression as a teen that led him to consider a method to change his orientation.

"It is harmful and it is unnecessary," Low said of the practice, adding that he finally concluded about being gay, "There's nothing wrong with me. There's nothing that needs to be changed."

Summit Ministries stated it feared it would be subjected to the parameters set by the new bill, even though it has yet to become law, because the scheduled speakers for the California conference are "people who advocate pursuing only those sexual activities approved in the Bible" and are often placed in positions of answering questions about sexuality from students.