Bill C-6: Myth Buster! 🏳️🌈
Yesterday, Bill C-6 (the “Bill to Ban Conversion Therapy”) was voted on and passed in the House of Commons. It is now off to the Senate to be debated again before hopefully becoming legislation. While I am thrilled by this step to advance 2SLGBTQQIA+ rights, I am deeply concerned that the Conservative Member of Parliament for Cloverdale - Langley City voted against it and continues to spread harmful, divisive misinformation about Bill C-6. What’s more, 62 other Conservatives voted against Bill C-6. It’s imperative we continue to stand up for all Canadians’ rights.
So, Let’s Bust A Myth About Bill C-6!
In honour of Pride Month, I want to bust a pervasive myth I’ve been hearing about Bill C-6. I should note that while it’s Pride Month, it is important to celebrate, accept, protect, and advocate for 2SLGBTQQIA+ people every day. Allyship should not start and end in June. We must keep advancing 2SLGBTQQIA+ rights because they’re human rights. Intolerance and bigotry have no place in our community. I will continue to advocate for an inclusive community for all residents of Cloverdale - Langley City because no one should be discriminated against based on their gender identity or sexual orientation, and no one should be forced to try and change these things.
First off, What Exactly is Conversion Therapy?
Conversion therapy, or reparative therapy, refers to any formal therapeutic attempt to change the sexual orientation of bisexual, gay, and lesbian individuals to heterosexual.
What is Bill C-6?
Bill C-6 proposes to amend the Criminal Code to make the following activities illegal:
Forcing a minor to undergo conversion therapy
Removing a minor from Canada to undergo conversion therapy abroad
Forcing someone to undergo conversion therapy without their consent
Receiving financial (or other material benefits) from the provision of conversion therapy
Advertising or promoting to provide conversion therapy
In addition, the proposed amendments would authorize courts to seize materials containing conversion therapy advertisements and/or remove any such online ads.
The Myth: Conservatives Are Claiming that Bill C-6 Will Make it Illegal to Seek Advice About One’s Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity.
There has been some general confusion around what the definition of conversion therapy contained in Bill C-6 really is. The Conservative Member of Parliament for Cloverdale - Langley City seems to believe that banning conversion therapy will make it illegal for someone to have a private conversation about their sexual orientation or to seek advice or counselling from a school therapist, counsellor, faith leader, friend, or family member. Many Conservatives claim that Bill C-6 discriminates against 2SLGBTQQIA+ folks because it restricts their ability to explore and seek counsel about their sexuality.
Let’s Deconstruct This Claim, Shall We?
Now that we know what conversion therapy is and we know what changes Bill C-6 proposes to make to the Criminal Code, we know that the Bill aims to criminalize therapy with the express purpose of CHANGING ones’ sexual orientation (i.e. from homosexual to heterosexual). The proposed amendments in Bill C-6 DO NOT make private conversations illegal and do not prevent conversations to explore one’s sexual identity with friends, family members, teachers, social workers, school counsellors, psychologists, religious leaders, and more.
There Are Two Key Takeaways Here:
Bill C-6 makes it illegal for anyone (including minors) to undergo conversion therapy without their consent; and
In the Bill, "conversion therapy" is defined as therapy for the express purpose of changing one’s sexual orientation.
Myth Busted!
While I’ve done my best to explain what Bill C-6 is (and isn’t), I encourage you to learn more here. Bill C-6 must become legislation to continue advancing 2SLGBTQQIA + rights. Currently, one in five persons in Canada is exposed to conversion therapy against their will. The statistics are even higher among vulnerable populations and BIPOC persons. We need to end this barbaric, degrading practice that continues to affirm harmful stereotypes in Canada.
The Conservative MP continues to put our community's progress at risk. There is no time for divisive, partisan politics, and spreading misinformation and myths when it comes to human rights. Cloverdale - Langley City needs a progressive leader to get back on track.
P.S. Don’t forget to take my survey and tell me what issues are most important to you and your family, I want to hear from you! JohnAldag.ca/survey
