Malta has become the first country in Europe to ban gay conversion therapy after the parliament in Valetta unanimously approved a bill outlawing attempts to “cure” homosexuals of their sexuality.
Under the new Affirmation of Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Gender Expression Act, anyone found guilty of trying to “change, repress or eliminate a person’s sexual orientation, gender identity and/or gender expression” will face fines or a jail sentence.
Personally, I remain sceptical about such cures. Sexuality seems to be hard-wired. However, making it illegal to offer such a service seems over harsh. What about gay people who might want to be cured? Are they to be denied the opportunity to try? That said, I suspect they will be wasting their money.
It’s a difficult one. I’ve always hated these mediums and astrologists and such that target suggestible people for money. Ban one scam though, and you’ve got to ban the lot, all the way down to religion itself, which I think is behind the gay cure stuff? It’s better to just keep repeating, this is bollocks, don’t waste your money, rather than trying to make this stuff illegal.
Yeah, that’s my take.
I haven’t read the bill but I suspect it’s not aimed at (although it will hit) those offering such “cures”. It’s aimed at those who consider that gender issues are another front in the cultural marxism wars. Accordingly, parents will be prosecuted for objecting to – or showing a lack of sufficient enthusiasm in respect of – the sexualisation/genderification of their children.
My thought is that, as you say, your sexuality is pretty much hard wired and, as such, is impossible to change. I think that anyone who examines their own preferences honestly must know this to be true. So anyone selling a “cure” for sexuality that is only a problem because they say it is, is basically a charlatan that is taking people’s money under false pretences. Hence we are faced with a choice, do we allow people to make their own mistakes and hopefully learn from them, or do we use the law to protect them from their own stupidity? I’m sure that in most western countries false advertising is already illegal, so why are additional laws necessary?
OT, I notice that Diocles has devoted a post to detailing his disagreement with your good self over the issue of Fidel Castro. I can’t be arsed to read it. I think that he has made a complete prat of himself over this issue and seems incapable of admitting that he got it wrong.
Yes, I noticed. I’ve no plans to dignify it with a response. You are correct, he’s made an arse of himself. As meltdowns go, it was pretty spectacular. Nothing you or I can do about that. Shame, really. I liked him.