This week, President Biden signed an executive order to advance “LGBTQI+ Equality During Pride Month.”
Some of the items that this executive order addresses are cause for concern, such as the following:
- “Addressing discriminatory legislative attacks against LGBTQI+ children and families, directing key agencies to protect families and children;
- Preventing so-called “conversion therapy” with a historic initiative to protect children from the harmful practice;
- Safeguarding health care, and programs designed to prevent youth suicide;
- Supporting LGBTQI+ children and families by launching a new initiative to protect foster youth, prevent homelessness, and improve access to federal programs; and
- Taking new, additional steps to advance LGBTQI+ equality.”
Much of the order is vague and lacking critical definitions, but we can make inferences about what each of these items really means.
“Addressing discriminatory legislative attacks” most likely means opposing or blocking state laws that prohibit classroom instruction about sexually explicit material or lessons on gender identity for children without parental consent. It also likely includes laws that protect women’s sports, like South Dakota’s SB 46.
Preventing “conversion therapy” is also concerning, as the White House does not specify exactly what this means. However, it’s likely that the Biden administration is referring to faith-based counselors who provide talk therapy to clients who want to avoid same-sex attraction. One counselor in the state of Washington was barred from treating clients with a faith-based approach to same-sex attraction. As our sister organization, the Family Policy Institute of Washington, explains:
“Brian Tingley is a Marriage and Family Therapist in Tacoma, Washington, and works with adults, couples, and children on a variety of topics from “gender identity” struggles to depression to marriage counseling and more. His practice employs techniques that are no different than those used by any other counselor: he listens to clients, supports them in their goals, and offers advice based on his training and knowledge.
However, many of Brian’s clients are referred to him by local churches, leading to a shared faith and belief system between him and many of his clients…The law specifically prevents conversations between counselors and clients who desire to become comfortable with their biological sex and are attempting to change certain sexual behaviors or practices. This includes clients who seek out counselors like Brian because their goal is to become realigned with their faith and have their actions and desires match the teachings of that faith.”
Under President Biden’s new executive order, this could easily happen throughout the country.
“Safeguarding health care” sounds harmless on the surface, but it likely translates into removing freedom of conscience protections from healthcare providers who object to providing certain services for religious reasons and pushing taxpayer-funded transgender “care.”
Lastly, the White House stated that “the President’s Order charges HHS to work with states to promote expanded access to gender-affirming care.” This includes cross-sex hormones, puberty blockers, and mutilation surgeries, all of which cause irreparable harm to children. In other words, the president is enabling child abuse.
If these inferences are correct, the religious freedom, free speech rights, and safety of children are all in danger.
Hopefully, the American people refuse to let Biden get away with these unconstitutional measures and respond appropriately with lawsuits.
