Today, Calgary City Council will vote on the proposed Conversion Therapy Prohibition Bylaw.
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Get the facts on Conversion Therapy in Canada with this new infographic! #yyc #yyccc #cdnpoli #LGBTQ
Watch Live Here: video.isilive.ca/calgary/live.h…
Get the facts on Conversion Therapy in Canada with this new infographic! #yyc #yyccc #cdnpoli #LGBTQ
Councillor Woolley opens discussion by suggesting that the same organizations opposed to the bylaw are the same ones that opposed legalization of same-sex marriage.
Woolley calls the bylaw nation leading work. He encourages Council to ask what side of history they want to be on.
Woolley calls the bylaw nation leading work. He encourages Council to ask what side of history they want to be on.
Councillor Chu is trying to argue for inclusion of "informed consent", which is a massive change to the bylaw. As administration rightly states, this would be a "loophole" that would allow conversion therapy to continue to occur.
Admin confirms this bylaw would be enforced the same as all other bylaws in the city, which usually occurs on a complaint basis and with full investigation.
Councillor Gondek makes it clear that this bylaw applies to the practice of conversion therapy and not religious beliefs.
It's very simple: If you are not practicing conversion therapy, promoting, or supporting it, you have nothing to worry about with this bylaw.
The entire focus of this bylaw is to STOP conversion therapy from happening in any form.
The entire focus of this bylaw is to STOP conversion therapy from happening in any form.
Yes, the bylaw is clearly enforceable. Most bylaw tickets start with a warning first. So if you are warned to stop practicing conversion therapy and you don't... that's on you.
The City of Calgary would not recommend a bylaw that cannot be legally defensible. That applies to all bylaws and this conversion therapy prohibition bylaw.
Councillor Woolley reminds Council that the goal of this bylaw is to protect a vulnerable minority from abuse. It's not designed to undermine people's rights.
Woolley implores Council members to pass the bylaw without amendments.
Woolley implores Council members to pass the bylaw without amendments.
Councillor Carra calls this an "abhorrent practice that ruins lives... It is not a thing of the past as a lot of us would hope to be the case.... This bylaw is a strong and powerful statement about who we are as Calgarians.... Let's get on with making this historic gesture."
Councillor Keating gives a yes to supporting the spirit and intent of the bylaw.
Councillor Chahal says he will support bylaw, after reflecting on his faith. He says "no one should be forced to change their identity or forced to convert to another's beliefs."
Councillor Davison says "this is about human rights. Let's not allow people to misinterpret this bylaw. This is a critically important bylaw for all of humanity."
Councillor Colley-Urquhart calls it an "incredible two days of listening to the public. The conversation went well beyond conversion therapy. It spoke to our humanity and the type of community we want to be."
She calls on provincial gov't to show action.
She calls on provincial gov't to show action.
Councillor Chu says he will recommend amendments to the bylaw.
Councillor Gondek says LGBTQ2 people are also part of faith communities.
"I find this bylaw to be fair, thorough, and necessary."
She concludes, "If you would not want someone to covert you from your faith, what makes you have the right to convert them from their identity."
"I find this bylaw to be fair, thorough, and necessary."
She concludes, "If you would not want someone to covert you from your faith, what makes you have the right to convert them from their identity."
Councillor Sutherland says I just want a law that will pass and be strong and be supported.
Councillor Farrell says "religious rights cannot override human rights... I regret this could not have been done sooner."
Councillor Farkas suggests the answers from administration have provided much needed clarity.
Very pleased to see a letter from faith leaders who support this bylaw.
Farkas supports the bylaw as it does not restrict religious thoughts or beliefs nor the right to worship.
Very pleased to see a letter from faith leaders who support this bylaw.
Farkas supports the bylaw as it does not restrict religious thoughts or beliefs nor the right to worship.
Farkas reads emails he has received stating that he is not worth God's love and he will be punished.
Farkas recounts his own coming out experience and attempts to "pray the me away," which has still impacted him to this day.
Farkas recounts his own coming out experience and attempts to "pray the me away," which has still impacted him to this day.
Farkas says "You can be anyone. You can go anywhere. Most of all you are welcome here."
Mayor Nenshi states his belief that no changes to the bylaw are required.
Nenshi suggests the final version of Federal Bill C-8 will look more like Calgary's, because our definition is better.
Nenshi suggests the final version of Federal Bill C-8 will look more like Calgary's, because our definition is better.
Mayor Nenshi:
"There are forces throughout of anger and hatred that our gender and sexually diverse brothers and sister have to deal with every single day. Sometimes in this job, sometimes, we get to just do what's right."
"There are forces throughout of anger and hatred that our gender and sexually diverse brothers and sister have to deal with every single day. Sometimes in this job, sometimes, we get to just do what's right."
First Reading receives unanimous consent. Now come suggested amendments, if any.
Councillor Magliocca with second from Sutherland, tables an amendment to align Calgary bylaw definition to use Federal draft definition in Bill C-8.
Vote: DEFEATED 10-5
Vote: DEFEATED 10-5
Councillor Chu brings forward amendment, second by Sutherland, to add "informed consent" to the bylaw definition.
Mayor Nenshi says this would gut the bylaw and make it worthless.
Vote: DEFEATED 13-2
Mayor Nenshi says this would gut the bylaw and make it worthless.
Vote: DEFEATED 13-2
Council now on 30 minute break. Stay tuned. Final vote to come.
Council is now back.
Councillor Chu says he has always supported the LGBTQ2 community. My intention was not to create any loopholes for conversion therapy. It is a barbaric and illegal practice.
He says his intention is to vote yes, because "it is the right thing to do."
Councillor Chu says he has always supported the LGBTQ2 community. My intention was not to create any loopholes for conversion therapy. It is a barbaric and illegal practice.
He says his intention is to vote yes, because "it is the right thing to do."
Councillor Colley-Urquhart thanks Councillor Farkas for sharing his story.
After all said and done, only Councillor Magliocca opposed.
Calgary now has passed some of the strongest & most comprehensive conversion therapy prohibition legislation not only in Canada, but in the World!
Congratulations to all who stood up to protect human rights & protect vulnerable individuals from this harmful and abusive practice.
Congratulations to all who stood up to protect human rights & protect vulnerable individuals from this harmful and abusive practice.
Let's not forget what this is really about: The survivors.
If this bylaw saves one person from the damage done by conversion therapy, it will all have been worth it.
To those we've lost. We will never forget you.
No one needs to change who they are or who they love.
If this bylaw saves one person from the damage done by conversion therapy, it will all have been worth it.
To those we've lost. We will never forget you.
No one needs to change who they are or who they love.
@threadreaderapp unroll please
