My heart breaks for you and for all of the hundreds of of thousands of conversion therapy survivors as well as for the ones yet to survive! The Christian Nationalists are among THE most evil people hiding under the banner of Christianity that exists!
I am beyond furious by what Colorado's government did, do they not realize the consequences they've unleashed on their own kids? This horrid practice is banned in my homestate(California) for a reason!
Having been raised Mormon, serving a mission (in eastern Washington), graduating from BYU, etc., your story sounded so very familiar. My first question after the ruling was “Free speech for whom?” Certainly not the children who will suffer. Yes, many will be like you and seek out conversion therapy because they think it's their only option, many will do so because they're afraid of being ostracized by family and church community. We always seem to forget that free speech comes with consequences. I can call my boss whatever nasty ugly name I can think of, but that doesn't shield me from being fired. A parent can send their child to conversion therapy, but if their child commits suicide, their free speech rights will not shield them from the pain and the culpability that the death will cause.
Sami, I, too, spend time in the International Churches of Christ and was told to renounce my sexuality. The harm that we suffered was not okay. I'm grateful for your share and that your family left with you. Not all of mine left. Thanks for sharing your story, we need more voices to speak out and become louder.
Sami, I am the mom to a trans teen and am so thankful to read your story and know that you made it to the other side of this story safely. My heart is broken for what you experienced. I am sitting here crying knowing how your father must feel even now and how truly remarkable it is that your family opened their eyes. That your father has taken accountability and is determined to right his wrongs is straight up amazing.
I left the US with my teen to protect them from the crazy I saw coming and we have many LGBTQ American friends here.
I wish joy and safety for your LGBTQ community and continued healing and peace for you. If there is a god, they made you this way and You are to be celebrated.
My heart breaks for you and for all of the hundreds of of thousands of conversion therapy survivors as well as for the ones yet to survive! The Christian Nationalists are among THE most evil people hiding under the banner of Christianity that exists!
What they call faith too often functions as domination when it is used to break people and call that holiness.
Conversion therapy did not come out of love or care — it came out of the belief that some lives must be erased to make others comfortable.
I am beyond furious by what Colorado's government did, do they not realize the consequences they've unleashed on their own kids? This horrid practice is banned in my homestate(California) for a reason!
This was done by the Supreme Court, not Colorado. So the conversion therapy ban in California was struck down too.
What!? They can't do that! This would put millions of our kids in danger and breaks state laws!
Having been raised Mormon, serving a mission (in eastern Washington), graduating from BYU, etc., your story sounded so very familiar. My first question after the ruling was “Free speech for whom?” Certainly not the children who will suffer. Yes, many will be like you and seek out conversion therapy because they think it's their only option, many will do so because they're afraid of being ostracized by family and church community. We always seem to forget that free speech comes with consequences. I can call my boss whatever nasty ugly name I can think of, but that doesn't shield me from being fired. A parent can send their child to conversion therapy, but if their child commits suicide, their free speech rights will not shield them from the pain and the culpability that the death will cause.
Sami, I, too, spend time in the International Churches of Christ and was told to renounce my sexuality. The harm that we suffered was not okay. I'm grateful for your share and that your family left with you. Not all of mine left. Thanks for sharing your story, we need more voices to speak out and become louder.
Bravo to this family!
Sami, I am the mom to a trans teen and am so thankful to read your story and know that you made it to the other side of this story safely. My heart is broken for what you experienced. I am sitting here crying knowing how your father must feel even now and how truly remarkable it is that your family opened their eyes. That your father has taken accountability and is determined to right his wrongs is straight up amazing.
I left the US with my teen to protect them from the crazy I saw coming and we have many LGBTQ American friends here.
I wish joy and safety for your LGBTQ community and continued healing and peace for you. If there is a god, they made you this way and You are to be celebrated.