Keep conversion therapy as a choice

Re: Jarvis: Pride Month and voting to ban conversion therapy, by Anne Jarvis, June 24

I read with interest the debate and recorded votes of our members of Parliament regarding Bill C-6, the Conversion Therapy Bill.

As a professional counsellor who for years offered reparative therapy for those dealing with same-sex attractions, I thought it would be appropriate for readers to be offered the other side of the issue.

I focused exclusively on adult male clients whose core religious values and beliefs were in direct conflict with their same-sex attractions or behaviours.

Western society, I feel, encourages those in such situations to abandon their values or beliefs and instead follow their emotional inclinations to find fulfilment in life. But when core religious beliefs predominate, this can be a cause of much inner conflict and distress for many samesex attracted individuals.

In these situations, Bill

C-6 I feel specifically discriminates against them by seriously limiting their options to find professional help in dealing with their conflicts. Bill C-6 prevents professional counsellors or psychologists from charging a fee in order to assist them in working through their issues.

As such, I believe Bill C-6 is discriminatory and will not hold up to a court challenge should it ever pass the Senate vote and become law.

While some in the LGBTQ+ community find the terms “conversion” and “reparative” offensive, this does not give anyone the legitimate right in a free and democratic society to restrict those who for religious reasons or otherwise have made an informed decision to seek help through professional therapy.

I commend those members of Parliament who had the courage to stand up for the rights of those whose voices are not being heard.

Mark Kahabka, Windsor