Via JMG: UK Psychology Group Tells Members That "Ex-Gay" Therapy Is Forbidden

Britain's largest psychotherapy group has told its members that "ex-gay" or "reparative therapy" is now officially forbidden. Via James Watkins at Law On The Web:

The British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP) wrote to its near 30,000 members to inform them that so-called gay conversion therapy was now officially off-limits to them, after discovering that some members were still offering the controversial ‘treatments’. Lesley Pilkington was one such member. Last year, the BACP found her guilty of malpractice after being exposed by an undercover journalist to be offering “gay cure” therapies. Mrs Pilkington told the journalist that homosexuality is a mental illness akin to depression, with addictive qualities akin to alcoholism. Mrs Pilkington was struck off, and her appeal was rejected in May of this year.  The letter from the BACP states that “BACP opposes any psychological treatment such as ‘reparative’ or ‘conversion’ therapy which is based upon the assumption that homosexuality is a mental disorder, or based on the premise that the client/patient should change his/her sexuality.” In the letter, the BACP adds that they recognise that “the diversity of human sexualities is compatible with normal mental health and social adjustment”.

Note that the British group makes no distinction regarding children or adults.

Labels: Britain, psychology, UK

Reposted from Joe

Via Tricycle Daily Dharma:

Tricycle Daily Dharma October 7, 2012

Looking Inward

Whatever we attempt is a reflection of our inner thirst, which we hope to quench in all these external ways. What we are looking for lies within us, and if we gave out time and energy to an interior search, we would come across it much faster, since that is the only place where it is to be found.

- Ayya Khema, "Thirsting for Enlightenment"

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Via JMG: TheFour: Jay-Z For Marriage

Details.

Labels: Beyonce, hip-hop, rap music, straight allies

Reposted from Joe

Via JMG: Justice Antonin Scalia Tells Wingnuts: It's Easy To Rule Against LGBT Rights

Yesterday Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia told a conservative Washington think tank that it's "easy" to rule against LGBT rights.

"The death penalty? Give me a break. It's easy. Abortion? Absolutely easy. Nobody ever thought the Constitution prevented restrictions on abortion. Homosexual sodomy? Come on. For 200 years, it was criminal in every state," Scalia said at the American Enterprise Institute. He contrasted his style of interpretation with that of a colleague who tries to be true to the values of the Constitution as he applies them to a changing world. This imaginary justice goes home for dinner and tells his wife what a wonderful day he had, Scalia said. This imaginary justice, Scalia continued, announces that it turns out "'the Constitution means exactly what I think it ought to mean.' No kidding."

Scalia also complained that it is too difficult to amend the U.S. Constitution. Mitt Romney has signed NOM's pledge to work to ban same-sex marriage in the federal constitution. Such an attempt could be thwarted by only 13 dissenting states.

Labels: Antonin Scalia, assholery, LGBT rights, Supreme Court

Reposted from Joe

Via JMG: AFGHANISTAN: Married Lesbian Soldier Killed In Suicide Bomber Attack

The American Military Partner Association makes a grim announcement on its Facebook page:

In memory of Army Staff Sgt. Donna R. Johnson who gave the ultimate sacrifice to our nation in a suicide bomber attack while on patrol in Afghanistan, on Monday, Oct. 1, 2012. Staff Sgt Johnson is survived by her wife Tracy Dice. In days to come, the American Military Partner Association will be sharing more of the story of Donna & Tracy and their commitment to each other and our nation. We ask for your continued thoughts, prayers, and privacy for Tracy and her family during this difficult time.

The Army Times has published an Associated Press report.

The remains of Sgt. Donna R. Johnson, 29, of Raeford, Sgt. Jeremy F. Hardison, 23, of Browns Summit and Sgt. Thomas J. Butler IV, 25, of Leland, were flown into Dover Air Force Base Tuesday evening. The three died Monday in Khost, Afghanistan, after an insurgent detonated a suicide vest while the guardsmen were on patrol. The soldiers were assigned to the 514th Military Police Company, which is based in Winterville. The bomber struck about 9 a.m., shortly after the troops got out of their vehicles to walk through a market area in Khost, located in the eastern part of the country. The others killed included an Afghan translator working with the American troops, four local police officers and six civilians. Three more American soldiers were wounded, according to a military spokesman. About 60 Afghan civilians were also injured. A Taliban spokesman contacted Western media to claim responsibility shortly after the attack.

The AP notes that both of the other two soldiers killed had wives, but makes no mention of Sgt. Johnson's wife, who also serves in the military.

Labels: Afghanistan, military, obituary, war

reposted from Joe

Via Tricycle Daily Dharma:

Tricycle Daily Dharma October 6, 2012

Recognizing Our Inadvertent Training

The wildness of mind that we experience when we sit quietly noticing our body and breathing for five minutes is the result of everything we’ve been doing before those five minutes. Frequently we discover that our minds do not rest in radiant contentment for the entire meditation session. Why not? Because we have been training for years in desiring, reaching, grasping, getting, and then wanting more, and then, of course, more—all reinforcing the underlying feeling that this moment is not enough.

- Gaylon Ferguson, “Fruitless Labor”

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