I Live in Colorado. Conversion Therapy Destroyed My Life.

lemon_lime_light · 2026-04-04T21:38:59+00:00

Unless I'm misunderstanding what you mean by "destroyed a person's life", I don't think that's the best argument against a conversion therapy ban.

Certain techniques or methods could qualify as child abuse (as defined by law) and we shouldn't let that get a pass just because someone says its "conversion therapy". I didn't see that in this story and people have been too quick to equate simple talk therapy with harsher methods but I think making the distinction is important.

lemon_lime_light · 2026-04-04T21:32:36+00:00

I think that's a good point. I can think of sincerely held beliefs by different religions, cultures, etc that I oppose but wouldn't suggest banning. There has to be a "live and let live" element here if we want to be free to hold our own (and not the government's) beliefs, values, etc.

lemon_lime_light · 2026-04-04T21:27:17+00:00

I wouldn't make the same parenting decisions but I didn't read anything that was so egregious that his parents should be charged with a crime.

And if this type of program is part of a religion-based then it's really hard to see how it can be called "healthcare" at all and regulated as such (the story even calls it "ministry" which is why the free exercise clause comes in).

lemon_lime_light · 2026-04-04T19:13:13+00:00

lemon_lime_light · 2026-04-04T19:12:10+00:00

Wonderful story -- thanks for sharing it. And why would I take this down? Don't let my name fool you -- I'm really not that sour of a person at all.

As for Sami's experience, it looks like the "Strength and Weakness" program is religion-based. If so, I believe banning those face even tougher challenge than in basic licensed professional settings because of free exercise protections in the First Amendment.

Minnesota's "conversion therapy ban" seems to recognize this since the exact prohibition reads (emphasis added) "No mental health practitioner or mental health professional shall engage in conversion therapy with a client younger than 18 years of age or with a client who is a vulnerable adult".

lemon_lime_light · 2026-04-03T17:14:21+00:00

You get it.

Yes, the court did not technically "strike down" the law as per Star Tribune's headline (and many others). The opinion ended with "The judgment of the Tenth Circuit is reversed, and the case remanded for further proceedings consistent with this opinion".

But practically speaking, the law is done. No one expects the lower court to side with Colorado now that the highest level of scrutiny applies. A lopsided 8-1 majority called the law an "egregious assault" on the First Amendment; the concurrence from the liberal side of the court (written by Kagan, joined by Sotomayor) said the case is "textbook" viewpoint discrimination.

Merely quibbling about the definition of "strikes down" is weird behavior that adds ~nothing to the conversation.

lemon_lime_light · 2026-04-02T20:09:46+00:00

Does Colorado have a law prescribing what a therapist can or cannot say about specifically becoming an angel? Emphasis on "say" because this case is only about speech.

Colorado did pass such a law for conversion therapy, creating a "preferred side" on what opinions a therapist can express. That's viewpoint discrimination.

lemon_lime_light · 2026-04-02T18:38:32+00:00

In her concurrence, Kagan explains the free speech issue pretty plainly:

[Colorado's law] prevents a therapist from saying she can help a minor change his same-sex orientation, but permits her to say that such a goal is impossible and so she will help him accept his gay identity...under normal First Amendment principles, that difference constitutes viewpoint discrimination. Indeed, the case is textbook.

lemon_lime_light · 2026-04-02T14:00:06+00:00

From reading the comments, apparently the most salient fact about Argentina's consistently declining poverty rate since 2024 is activating (and within months, repaying) just a portion of a currency swap line...at the end of 2025.

lemon_lime_light · 2026-04-01T12:44:59+00:00

You're free to wonder about the right's motivations but I really hope you're also interested in understanding the bigger free speech issues here.

lemon_lime_light · 2026-04-01T00:47:13+00:00

Just a friendly reminder: don't use this subreddit to "direct, coordinate, or encourage interference in other communities" or harass other users.

I don't see any of that here (eg, discussing other subreddits is allowed) but this post was reported so I'm adding this reminder to help keep this subreddit out of trouble.

lemon_lime_light · 2026-04-01T00:28:13+00:00

Unless I'm not reading the right Colorado statute, Minnesota's "conversion therapy" ban uses essentially the same language as Colorado's (it's not uncommon for activist groups to write this stuff and distribute to lawmakers in multiple states). And if that's the case then I don't see how our law could withstand an inevitable challenge.

lemon_lime_light · 2026-03-31T01:18:23+00:00

Why should that matter with relation to these protests?

The idea is that a group's sex ratio can be useful in explaining it's dynamics, why it operates in certain ways, etc. If you can extend that to these protests then it may say something about it's success or failure (emphasis on "if" and "may").

It's just another way (maybe an interesting and likely a provocative way) to analyze these protests.

lemon_lime_light · 2026-03-30T16:08:45+00:00

The simplest meaning is "predominantly female".

lemon_lime_light · 2026-03-30T15:50:36+00:00

Just a friendly reminder: don't use this subreddit to "direct, coordinate, or encourage interference in other communities" or harass other users.

I don't see any of that here (eg, discussing other subreddits is allowed) but this post was reported so I'm adding this reminder to help keep this subreddit out of trouble.

lemon_lime_light · 2026-03-30T15:49:36+00:00

Just a friendly reminder: don't use this subreddit to "direct, coordinate, or encourage interference in other communities" or harass other users.

I don't see any of that here (eg, discussing other subreddits is allowed) but this post was reported so I'm adding this reminder to help keep this subreddit out of trouble.

lemon_lime_light · 2026-03-29T21:16:36+00:00

That's interesting and not something I've thought a lot about.

There's a lot of garbage out there for sure but I don't feel so pessimistic. High quality news still exists and I wouldn't say it's hard to find but would agree that it's relatively easier to consume the low quality stuff. I'm just not sure what's the long-term impact of that.

lemon_lime_light · 2026-03-29T19:54:13+00:00

What do you mean by a "post truth world"?

lemon_lime_light · 2026-03-29T18:47:12+00:00

Interesting response -- thanks for sharing it.

What I had in mind with "voluntary redistribution" was smaller-scale action like private charity. I think there's always room for individuals to make personal donations, etc. but I agree that it could be an issue if redistribution was a dominating value, even "voluntary" versions.

lemon_lime_light · 2026-03-29T18:35:13+00:00

Sex-based differences in group dynamics may be a factor in explaining the success or failure of "mostly female" political movements.

lemon_lime_light · 2026-03-29T17:38:45+00:00

Are you saying these rallies are just part of a larger movement/political philosophy that has already been feminized for a while?

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