Tax Exemptions Control Schools And Churches

Cable News Network, CNN, held the LGBT Town Hall meeting for Democratic presidential candidates. The entire event was mostly pandering and showing the extremes of the LGBT community. There were a couple of things that set conservatives on fire. One, was a mother with her 9 year old trans male child, and the other was a question about tax exemptions for churches, schools, and universities if they don't support same-sex marriage.

This writing isn't about the 9 year old trans, but I would like to clarify some things. I have heard conservatives complaining about permanently mutilating children. US law doesn't allow a 9 year old to take any hormone altering drugs or have genital altering surgery. Some are given hormone blockers at puberty, but the child must be 16 before they can begin hormone replacement therapy. A person must be a legal adult before they can have genital surgery. None of this can be done without authorization from a psychologist trained in this area.

The Sin of Conversion Therapy

Over the years, and even recently, I have been mocked for saying conversion therapy is torture. In case you aren't familiar, Conversion therapy is the pseudoscientific practice of trying to change an individual's sexual orientation from homosexual or bisexual to heterosexual using psychological or spiritual interventions. This therapy often includes locking people alone in a room with a bible. Conversion therapy is also sometimes performed on transgenders.

I just watched the story of 15 year old Alex Cooper who made the mistake of telling her parents she liked girls. Within a short time the girl was whisked way to St George, Utah, where she was placed with a husband and wife, the Simms, in their family home, who were to provide the conversion therapy. She was forced by her parents, grandparents, and the police to live with this couple for 8 months.

At first, the Simms did the typical forced bible study and brainwash techniques, such as mild punishments and repetitive language. Once, when Alex was caught asking for help in the grocery store, she was dragged from the store, tossed into the car, and punched in the stomach by Mr. Simms. At other times, she was whipped with a belt all over her body.