GAY TRUTH

Current proposals to create sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) laws with varying types of religious exemptions would not result in fairness for all. The most prominent model for creating specific LGBT policies while showing concern for religious freedom is known as “fairness for all,” a phrase used by proponents to describe a law first adopted in Utah and similar proposals in other states and potentially at the national level. The “Utah Compromise” was a law enacted in Utah in the spring of 2015 that created sexual orientation and gender identity anti-discrimination policy in employment and housing, while also creating certain religious liberty exemptions and protections. Indiana attempted (but failed) to pass similar legislation in January 2016. Thus far, no fairness for all legislation has been introduced at the federal level, but there is a discussion among advocates about doing so. Instead, they would penalize many Americans who believe that we are created male and ...

Today, the film Boy Erased is enjoying great reviews and limited release. If it’s not in a theater near you, within a few weeks you can bet it will be. It’s the true story of a young man who went through what’s commonly called a “conversion therapy” program. He’s 19 years old, has just admitted to his Christian parents that he’s gay, and they insist he gets help. “Help,” they assume, will come through a program to which they’ll send him for weeks of daily group sessions and activities, allegedly designed to cure his homosexuality. You can see where this is going. He eventually bolts from the program, accepts his identity as a gay man, and his parents — at least his mother, anyway — realize their error. Now, as an adult, he speaks against that damaging thing called Conversion Therapy. I’ve read Gerrard Conley’s memoir , which the film is based on, has written a review of it for the Christian Research Journal which will be coming out next month. I’ve not yet seen Boy Erased but plan t...