A group of 'former' lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans has descended upon the US capital of Washington DC to lobby against two proposed bills which would further strengthen the rights of LGBT citizens
The group called Changed is made up of individuals from two Californian churches who say they are trying to protect themselves from discrimination and promote the idea that sexuality can be changed.
They are fighting against the Therapeutic Fraud Prevention Act, which would classify conversion therapy as fraudulent practice, and the Equality Act, which would ban discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in federal programs.
Neither bill has a realistic chance of being passed by the current Republican-controlled senate; but that hasn't stopped the group from voicing their opposition and attempting to bring awareness to their widely discredited view that sexuality can be changed through therapy.
Speaking to NBC News, Changed member Jim Domen who identifies as 'ex gay' said any updates to the Civil Rights Act would create a "superclass" for LGBT Americans at the expense of religion.
"The Equality Act treats sexual preference as an elevated class and would strip people of religious freedom" Domen claims.
Domen also claims that homosexuality is a choice rooted in "temptation" that can be "overcome" through therapy.
Those views are not only discredited, they are dangerous according to the American Medical Association which says the belief that sexuality can be changed is "not based on medical or scientific evidence" and that the practise can lead to "increased suicidal behaviours, significant psychological distress, anxiety, lowered self-esteem, internalized homophobia, self-blame, intrusive imagery and sexual dysfunction."
Newshub.
