Following the Republican Party of
Texas' endorsement of “ex-gay” therapy, Christian conservative
Janet Porter of Faith 2 Action says she wants similar language
“adopted nationwide.”
The state party's new plank recognizes
“the legitimacy and efficacy of counseling, which offers reparative
therapy and treatment for those patients seeking healing and
wholeness for their homosexual lifestyle. No laws or executive
orders shall be imposed to limit or restrict access to this type of
therapy.”
“Don't mess with Texas,” Porter
told her radio audience. “That's the message sent to the
homosexual agenda from Texas Republicans, who now have an official
state platform that stands for religious freedom and the freedom to
counsel people out of homosexuality. … Let's hope this platform
gets adopted nationwide.”
Cathie Adams, head of the conservative
Texas Eagle Forum, spearheaded the endorsement. In comments to
national media, Adams called the measure a “freedom issue,” but
in defending the measure on Facebook she said “homosexuality is NOT
NORMAL,” adding that she “loves” gays and wants “the BEST for
you now and in eternity.”
(Related: Cathie
Adams, who backed GOP OK of “ex-gay” therapy, says being gay “NOT
NORMAL.”)
Calling such treatments harmful,
California and New Jersey lawmakers have outlawed so-called
“reparative” therapy to minors. A handful of other states are
considering following suit.