Whenever there’s a controversial debate, I like to try to clarify the perspectives and the arguments of each side. I also like to understand the world view that each side is coming from. The debates over gay rights and associated legislation have sadly become so politicized that there remains very little balance and even less interest in understanding . . . only winning. I had lunch with David Pickup this week. What a man he is. A blend of strength, compassion, intelligence and spirituality. Please listen to his story.
Added note: I had posted this video first with Vimeo, the host of the video, but when they realized what the content was, they disallowed it to continue. They took it completely off Vimeo. So this video is supplied through You Tube. Good example of what happens to informed dialog when an issue becomes politicized. David Pickup presents a formidable example of how his own life as well as the lives of many others have been transformed for the good. He can be reached at DavidPickupLMFT@gmail.com.
J. Lee Jagers, PhD, ThM, LPC 
NY Times Op-Ed piece shows how strange some legal rulings fall. From 10-9-2013
Pro-homosexual lawmakers have petitioned the Federal Trade Commission to take regulatory action and ban all “Conversion Therapy” by licensed and trained counselors in the United States. The proposal would ban counselors from providing and clients from receiving any counsel seeking to change, reduce, or eliminate unwanted same-sex sexual attractions, behavior, or identity.
Hoping to exert congressional influence, Democrat Senators Patty Murray (WA) and Cory Booker (NJ), and Democrat Representatives Jackie Speier (CA) and Ted Lieu (CA), sent the request to the FTC chairwoman. This is a blatant President Obama “executive-order” style tactic to coerce a government agency to push through a far-left mandate that will not otherwise pass in congress or in many state legislatures. It purposefully circumvents both the legislative and legal processes.
+ + The proposed ban is on the basis that the practice is “unfair, deceptive, and fraudulent.” This language is straight from LGBT propaganda and verifiably untrue.
Many states have already rejected proposed bans on “Change Therapy,” after hearing testimonies of people who profoundly benefited from the counseling.
Under this unacceptable and Orwellian regulation, counselors will not be permitted to dissuade any client from embracing the homosexual lifestyle – even if the client doesn’t want to act on homosexual sexual attractions!
This law directly interferes with counselors and clients. It is an astounding overreach by the state government into the realm of counseling and will cause irreparable harm if allowed to stand.
If enacted, the only viewpoint allowed in licensed counseling centers will be that same-sex attractions are healthy – and any attempt to reduce or eliminate them will be prohibited by law!
+ + Think of the children!
Imagine a young boy sexually molested by the likes of a Jerry Sandusky, the notorious pedophile who was exposed during the crisis at Penn State a few years ago. This boy develops low self-esteem and gender confusion because of this horrible trauma. He begins to experience same-sex attractions but does not want to act on them and does not want to identity as being a homosexual.
The parents of this boy are Christian and believe homosexuality is wrong and harmful. Under a “Change Therapy” ban, the only counseling they will be able to secure for their confused son is that which will confuse him even more! It will force counselors to tell this young boy he should not worry about his confused feelings because same-sex attractions are good and normal.
Imagine these words coming from a counselor to your child, “Don’t worry about your same-sex attractions. Instead, you need to modify your religious and moral beliefs!”
This regulatory action must be STOPPED and we need your help to prevail in this battle!
We are delivering our own “Letter of Opposition” toward this proposed regulatory action to FTC Chairwoman Ramirez, commission members, and key members of Congress. We MUST do so with at least 25,000 signatures of principled Americans who will stand against these four lawmakers and their attempt to advance a blatant pro-homosexual initiative.
Bonnie, please join with us? Click here to read the letter and to add your name.
As I’ve said many times before, my heart breaks for the boys and girls who live where this ban is in effect – and why Liberty Counsel has been fighting these egregious laws since 2012.
The minors we represent in our litigation efforts have not and do not want to act on same-sex attractions, nor do they want to engage in such behavior. They are greatly benefiting from counseling.
Americans must not allow any federal or state government or agency to usurp the individual rights of parents, children, or their counselors on such a personal matter!
The battle to stop pro-homosexual legal activism is one of the most important fights in American history. Please, click here to add your name to our Letter of Opposition!
Thank you and God bless you for standing with us!
Mathew Staver, Founder and Chairman
Liberty Counsel
P.S. These pro-homosexual lawmakers are egregiously violating the Constitution and jeopardized the mental health and welfare of parents, patients, and counselors. Together, we must tell the FTC to reject this proposal and allow citizens to choose our own course in these extremely personal matters.