Seventh-day Adventists intent on harming gay youth

The Seventh-day Adventists, a right-wing evangelical sect, is planning sessions at Camp Pugwash in Nova Scotia, in an attempt to “cure” gay youth. I have touched on this subject in a previous column, and with this news, it is of the utmost importance that this subject be re-addressed.

This horrendous act has been proven to be unsuccessful and indeed promises to do great harm mentally and physically to our gay young people. One problem is that conversion therapy is permitted in most provinces, except in Ontario and Manitoba. There is no federal ban. This is a travesty and governments must enforce a ban, as major harm is caused as a result of this attempted therapy. In a nation where LGBTQ+ rights are defended by law and where 80 per cent of the population is in favour of equality in all its forms, the ban must be included.

Following is how the camp is described on the church’s website:

“Camp Pugwash is a non-profit Christian camp owned and operated by the Maritime Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church Inc. We are happy to accept campers of any race, religion, or nationality. Our camp program features the Christian teaching of salvation according to the Gospels.”

This statement contains no mention of LGBTQ+ people, yet will attempt to “cure” gay young people. Contrary to popular belief, discrimination is a reality that just will not go away. The practice of conversion therapy is a reality that must be stopped immediately. Malta is the only European nation that has banned the practice. In Brazil, the government had banned conversion tactics, but a judge overruled that recently and so the tortures continue. Barack Obama introduced a bill to ban the therapies on the federal level but was stalled in Congress last year.

Many right-wing religious factions approve of this ongoing wrongdoing and indeed promote it. Shortly, Pugwash will witness such a horrific event. The town should not permit it to occur, but if not supported by the Nova Scotia government, little can be accomplished. In other words, gay conversion therapy has the approval of this government.

If Canada is a progressive nation, then outlawing this damaging and unfair practice that smacks of discrimination must be a priority. The practice is widespread and may be paid for by provincial health plans. Discriminating, religious organizations such as the Seventh-day Adventists may be entitled to a tax-exempt charitable status. Experts and medical associations are unanimous that the therapies are bogus and cause serious harm to those involved, leading to depression, self-harm and suicide.

Our governments must act and not be seen to be on the side of those who are involved in this horrific practice. Laws must be implemented so that organizers may be charged for contributing to hurt and damage to a gay person’s life. If one is beaten, or perhaps robbed, one will be charged with that crime, but as the laws read now, the damage to one’s mental health because of these therapies is overlooked.

Parents who take their gay children to be “healed,” must be taken to task, as must the so-called healers who are determined to cause willful and serious harm.

Of course, we are reminded by many in the religious community that they have the right to conduct these practices, because of religious beliefs and teachings. So, from that we may take the message that it is the belief that gives them the right to cause irreparable damage to a person, a so-called loving way that is their Christian way.

Hopefully the Seventh-day Adventist people can be stopped to prevent damaging results.

For comments and information, contact lgbtconnectionsgv@ gmail.com.

Gerard Veldhoven is a longtime activist for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. His column appears weekly in The News.