In this June 25, 2016 file photo, men cover their faces with rainbow flags during a gay pride parade in Bucharest, Romania. (File)

In this June 25, 2016 file photo, men cover their faces with rainbow flags during a gay pride parade in Bucharest, Romania. (File)

LETTER: Banning conversion therapy is a direct attack on parental rights

Compassionate counselling has helped many people across Canada overcome unwanted same-sex attraction

It is a dark day for democracy and for due process when it becomes acceptable to demand that a person be fired from their job for holding certain beliefs. Yet, that is what is unfairly being demanded regarding the Honourable Laurie Throness, MLA for Chilliwack-Kent.

Freedom of expression is critical for the proper functioning of democracy. However, NDP MLA Spencer Chandra Herbert is using personal attacks to avoid real debate on the actual issues, and using bullying tactics to attempt to silence anyone who dares to disagree with his ideology.

• READ MORE: NDP wants Chilliwack-Kent MLA removed from BC Liberal caucus for alleged homophobia

• READ MORE: Vancouver Pride Society bans BC Liberals from annual parade after ad controversy

The recent drive to ban so-called “conversion therapy” throughout Canada is a direct attack, not only on the rights of parents to nurture and guide their children as they know best, but on any belief system contrary to the “born this way” narrative. Compassionate and caring counselling has helped many people across Canada overcome unwanted same-sex attraction, as well as confusion surrounding misalignment between one’s biological sex and gender identity. Despite numerous studies showing that the vast majority of gender-confused kids ultimately realizing that they are in the “right” body, these sex activists want to deny anything but affirmation for gender transition, which will result in irreparable harm to thousands of our most vulnerable youth.

Those advocating for the banning of any option other than affirmation for those experiencing gender dysphoria should carefully consider the situation unfolding in London, England at the Tavistock Clinic, where minors who were rushed through irreversible sex-change surgery are now suing the clinic for failing to provide them with any other options. Concerned voices should not be shut up, but carefully listened to and their concerns heard, before a similar situation occurs on an even broader scale here in Canada.

Brad Neels

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Chilliwack Progress