The very fact it is aligned with a separate report called:
LGBT+ POC and Minority Ethnic Faith Experiences of Conversion Practices
shows they have taken a broad approach, a listening approach, a respectful and thoughtful approach.
It's a long document, with two additional pieces along with an extensive contents, and a lot of Recommendations, but I will try end go through it all in the next couple of days.
First of all you might note that #ConversionTherapy has been rightly replaced with the term: Conversion Practices.
I have to say I agree with this fully. CT is not Therapy, but also does not always take the form of "talking therapy" and the term Practices is much more clear.
I know a few people who were involved, and it's been incredible to hear about the process, which centered survivors as experts of their own experience, along with other experts, faith organisations, politicians, etc, being brought into conversation throughout.
Already I've seen nervous churches saying these recommendations will take away their right to religion, but, um, they always said they don't DO Conversion Therapy sooo 🤷🏻
But really, this is why it's good to note (multi)faith organisations were consulted throughout.
32 guiding principles have been drawn out, "measures under criminal law, and measures outside criminal law, to end conversion practices." These are supported by specific recommendations, included in the Annex.
It's important to do education, etc, along with "criminal" change.
As an abolitionist/having studied some of the ways the police complex works against minorities, the idea of a fully CRIMINAL basis for ending Conversion Practices has always been uncomfortable. Which is why I'm glad this is a wider, broader approach.
Knowing the ways Conversion Practices have impacted mental health and led to some people's dependence on/connection to drugs, alcohol, sex work, homelessness, incarceration, mental health issues, etc, the concept of just using Criminalisation, policing, etc, is uncomfortable.
Which is why I'm glad to know it's a wider approach. I'll talk more when we get to the recommendations.
"The Group believes that conversion practices infringe upon the human rights of individuals, in particular the victims' freedom from discrimination and freedom from non-consensual medical treatment." 😭
"Conversion practices can also violate the prohibition of torture, cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment and are capable of violating children's rights to be free from all forms of physical or mental violence, injury, or abuse."
These honest descriptions... 😭😭😭
"...where expression creates the potential of significant harm to others, a prohibition of a practice is justified and necessary as a proportionate way of protecting the interests of the victims..."
YESSS. Thought through, concluded.
No LGB without the T.
We stand together. We ARE one. What affects those of us who are lesbian, bisexual, gay, affects thought who are gender queer, trans, intersex. People enforcing boundaries and gender borders affects us ALL.
People, reporters, etc, always ask: Did you CHOOSE to do this? (go through anti-gay exorcism at St Thomas Philadelphia in Sheffield)
And what am I supposed to say? 😭
📢 You CANNOT consent to torture.📢
Uuugch yes. The kind of groups who "provide" CP aaaaaalways give the impression they are trying to do a good thing, not to intentionally cause harm. So what? You are causing harm. 🚮
I love this.
This paragraph seems to make it clear that interpersonal conversations and early conversions interactions with actual health professionals etc are not the key areas being scrutinised, yet those are the areas people exaggerate into wanting the whole thing derailed.
Strong statement. 💪
You wanna read this and weep folks. 💅
Ahhhhh omg YES THIS. Because who doesn't know a senior pastor who had directed out allowed abusive practices to occur in their organisations without getting their own hands covered in blood? We see you. 👀 *cough* Dr [redacted] *cough* The Overlord *cough* C of E *cough* Baptists
We know about people being sent to America, we know about people being taken to England, this is important. IMPORTANT.
I don't know enough about crime and sentencing to comment, but I know a lot of thought and process went into these recommendations and they are CLEAR.
HELLO YES HELLO!!!!!!!! REMOVAL OF CHARITY STATUS HELL YEAH.
YESSS to setting up a Commission with responsibility for education locally and internationally on this 😭
Yes to building holistic, healthy and trauma informed REBUILDING for those who have been injured through CP.
"The Group recommends that any person, including victims and potential victims, are able to report conversion practices and that an investigation can then follow, removing the onus from survivors on to a public body."
PLEASE 🙏 YES 🙏 WE HAVE CARRIED TOO MUCH. 🙏 THANK YOU.
I know I keep saying it but: YES, YES, ABSOLUTELY, YES
"Through research conducted by the Group, it is clear there are feelings of apprehension around reporting of conversion practices in ethnic minority communities who have experienced historical prejudice and discrimination within the criminal justice system."
IMPORTANT.
THANK YOU.
Okay darlings, I have to sleep, but just this introduction has filled me with HOPE and ACKNOWLEDGEMENT in ways nothing else has done. To hear with clarity the impact, the danger, the abusive torture these practices are and to think of @YorksBaptists and @churchofengland ignoring
- the evidence of their existence in their Diocese and under the very eyes and responsibility of their Regional Minister.
Just as one example. My blood boils.
But this, this, is something tangible and real and evidence based and copy-able.
It's time to talk about Church of England funded counselling offered to Survivors of Church Abuse, or, as I would call it, More Inexplicable Church of England Sticks to Beat You With.
🧵 Thread Incoming.
I cannot speak for anyone but myself, and I *hope* the result of this thread will be other C of E Survivors saying, no no, that's just @DioceseofSheff Sheffield Diocese Safeguarding, and not Nationwide.
@DioceseofSheff I'll also preface by remembering the Jay Report indicates a lack of funding and lack of resources allocated to individuals in Safeguarding roles means we are not here to intimate, bully or take issue with the individual, but rather, the process and maybe even their Script.
Okay (J/K), let's see what Revelation says about Puberty Blockers.
KJV, of course.
🧵
Rev 1.6: "Jesus Christ....hath made us kings"
Who are we? Revelation suggests in an opening volley, we can change/grow/be different in our bodies and roles to what we "were".
The gendered term "Kings", while writing to all genders, encourages that we may become masc. 👑
Rev 1.11 - "What thou seest, write in a book"
We know many incredible parents of Trans Youth have witnessed their child's existence from a very young age, and come to understand the message they are receiving.
Right. So, we *think* Derek Prince might be the first references to homosexuality being influenced by the demonic. He actually referenced this in his training course materials in 1971. I have not been able to get hold of his training materials from then, but I *do* have his book.
TW. incorrect and unhealthy teaching on demons
It's here, in some training materials from 1971, between fear, resentment and doubt, and tumours, fits and cramps, we have one of the earliest references to Homosexuality as linked with demonic suggestion.
Who is this old hollywood man, you ask. According to wiki, "He is the author of 51 books, 600 audio and 100 videos, many of which has been translated and published in more than 60 languages" Prolific teacher. Eton College, Cambridge University.
I'll be reading Jay Report throughout the day, and making various comments and sharing quotes.
I do not claim to be an expert on Safeguarding Practice, especially in regards to Children. I'm just someone chewed up by the system and it's definitions of 'vulnerable adults'.
Do take time to read it for yourself, as I cannot claim to not bring my own bias to my reading, and context is important.
"I was saddened and disturbed to discover just how negative the impact on them had been, and just how much worse their post traumatic symptoms had become." - Glasgow
We haven't even scratched the surface of 3dM, The Order of Mission and Mike Breen's influence on the UK and USA. #churchofengland
There's a section in Bringing Me Back to Me specifically about The Order. Ready? Let's go.
"The Order of Mission was a powerful group of committed Christians who vow themselves “in the presence of the Senior Guardian and members of the Order” to a life of “simplicity, purity and accountability”
and meet throughout the year at conferences and away days. Members are encouraged to take time out three times a day to pray."