This article was printed two years ago, following MassResistance's efforts to stop the ban on reparative therapy in Minnesota.
The local and national press really wanted to drill down on State Senator Paul Gazelka, the Senate Majority Leader, since he would be one of the main obstacles to the bill's passage. They thought they could make it worse for him by pointing out that his daughter is a lesbian, struggling with these same-sex temptations. And on top of that, the senator is a pastor.
Gay conversion ban gets personal for
lawmakers in emotional debate
lawmakers in emotional debate
By J. PATRICK COOLICAN AND TOREY VAN
OOT , STAR TRIBUNE
May 10, 2019 – 10:13 PM
OOT , STAR TRIBUNE
May 10, 2019 – 10:13 PM
Minnesota state Sen. Paul Gazelka,
the Republican majority leader, faces a deeply personal and political dilemma
as the Legislature weighs restrictions on so-called conversion therapy — the
widely criticized practice of trying to turn gay people straight.
the Republican majority leader, faces a deeply personal and political dilemma
as the Legislature weighs restrictions on so-called conversion therapy — the
widely criticized practice of trying to turn gay people straight.
The rhetoric in this first paragraph is mind-numbing in its fraudulence.
People are not born gay in the first place. When someone receives reparative therapy, it helps them to realize their full natural potential.
A DFL proposal to ban the practice with
Minnesota children failed last week on a party-line vote after an emotional
Senate debate where lawmakers in both parties recounted anguished stories from
their own lives. But with some GOP senators threatening to upend their own
Health and Human Services budget if the conversion ban were attached, Gazelka
led the Republican caucus in voting it down.
Minnesota children failed last week on a party-line vote after an emotional
Senate debate where lawmakers in both parties recounted anguished stories from
their own lives. But with some GOP senators threatening to upend their own
Health and Human Services budget if the conversion ban were attached, Gazelka
led the Republican caucus in voting it down.
Good for Senator Gazelka.
Despite the defeat on the Senate
floor, several members of Gazelka’s GOP caucus said they still want a bill to
end conversion therapy this year, creating an internal rift that dredged up a
lingering conflict in his own family.
floor, several members of Gazelka’s GOP caucus said they still want a bill to
end conversion therapy this year, creating an internal rift that dredged up a
lingering conflict in his own family.
Those Republicans need to be removed from office. Anyone who would declare war on a therapy that saves lives should not be elected.
Gazelka, a conservative Christian
who has become a Capitol dealmaker, was silent during the middle-of-the-night
debate, even as his emotions roiled underneath.
who has become a Capitol dealmaker, was silent during the middle-of-the-night
debate, even as his emotions roiled underneath.
“I cry over this issue,” he said,
choking up during an interview in his office.
choking up during an interview in his office.
One of his five children, Genna
Gazelka, 30, came out as a lesbian as a teen. Genna, who now identifies as bi-gender and uses the
pronoun “they,” is fiercely opposed to the
practice of conversion therapy. In an interview prompted by the vote, Genna
said the Gazelka family turned to a therapist who decried same-sex relations.
“This is harassment, and it is tantamount to what could be said of torture or
sexual torture,” Genna said of conversion therapy.
Gazelka, 30, came out as a lesbian as a teen. Genna, who now identifies as bi-gender and uses the
pronoun “they,” is fiercely opposed to the
practice of conversion therapy. In an interview prompted by the vote, Genna
said the Gazelka family turned to a therapist who decried same-sex relations.
“This is harassment, and it is tantamount to what could be said of torture or
sexual torture,” Genna said of conversion therapy.
Total lie. True therapy does no harm to the patient. There is no torture, not physical or sexual abuse. That is all absolute nonsense.
Gazelka acknowledged sending Genna
to therapy as a teenager, but said it was for healing, not for sexual-identity
conversion.
to therapy as a teenager, but said it was for healing, not for sexual-identity
conversion.
Yes.
Now as one of the state’s most
powerful Republican lawmakers, he said he is working to find a compromise that
would ban coercive therapy techniques on children while preserving the right of
therapists and pastors to speak freely with their patients, particularly those
who say they are struggling with an unwanted same-sex attraction.
powerful Republican lawmakers, he said he is working to find a compromise that
would ban coercive therapy techniques on children while preserving the right of
therapists and pastors to speak freely with their patients, particularly those
who say they are struggling with an unwanted same-sex attraction.
Here's the deal: abusive practices in therapeutic sessions have already been banned. They are already outlawed, illegal, everything else one could name.
“I don’t want coercive or aversive
counseling toward someone,” Paul Gazelka said. “It’s a fragile time in life,
and I know because I’ve experienced it.”
counseling toward someone,” Paul Gazelka said. “It’s a fragile time in life,
and I know because I’ve experienced it.”
The next paragraph shows what was really going on in Genna's life:
For Gazelka, the issue stands apart
from the partisan budget battle looming as the Legislature hurtles toward a May
20 adjournment deadline. It has fractured his caucus and his family.
from the partisan budget battle looming as the Legislature hurtles toward a May
20 adjournment deadline. It has fractured his caucus and his family.
Genna Gazelka acknowledged a history
of mental health issues. “I understood why my parents sent me to therapy,
especially looking back; it would be bad parenting not to [send] a person who
was troubled and struggling,” Genna said.
of mental health issues. “I understood why my parents sent me to therapy,
especially looking back; it would be bad parenting not to [send] a person who
was troubled and struggling,” Genna said.
She wanted to be a lesbian, be non-binary, whatever because she was suffering from emotional issues. True therapy deals with those underlying problems, helping people to break free from the wrong believing, the painful memories, the harms and hurts which created so much damage, so much baggage.
But Genna said it was only after
Gazelka and his wife, Maralee, suspected a same-sex attraction that the
then-teenager was sent to the counseling practice of Marcus
Bachmann, the licensed psychologist married to former U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann, the
conservative firebrand who ran for president in 2012.
Gazelka and his wife, Maralee, suspected a same-sex attraction that the
then-teenager was sent to the counseling practice of Marcus
Bachmann, the licensed psychologist married to former U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann, the
conservative firebrand who ran for president in 2012.
As expected, the Minnesota press will take every opportunity they can to go after Michele Bachmann. These "reporters" have no dignity. None.
“I went from having a somewhat
supportive youth pastor counselor who was aware it was highly likely I was
lesbian to being sent to Bachmann’s clinic,” Genna said, adding that the
conversations with Bachmann exacted a sense of shame.
supportive youth pastor counselor who was aware it was highly likely I was
lesbian to being sent to Bachmann’s clinic,” Genna said, adding that the
conversations with Bachmann exacted a sense of shame.
Bachmann, citing patient
confidentiality, declined to comment, but said his practice has never used the
techniques commonly associated with gay conversion. He said his business would
be cited by state licensing authorities if he engaged in coercive or abusive
techniques.
confidentiality, declined to comment, but said his practice has never used the
techniques commonly associated with gay conversion. He said his business would
be cited by state licensing authorities if he engaged in coercive or abusive
techniques.
Exactly!
“It’s not who we are. It’s not
something we would ever do,” he said.
something we would ever do,” he said.
Genna Gazelka said the Gazelkas
later encouraged visits with Janet Boynes Ministries, whose website promises to help those “who are trapped in the
sin of homosexuality and yearn to be set free.” Those
conversations, along with other political disagreements, have strained the
family’s relationship with Genna, now a northeast Minnesota writer.
later encouraged visits with Janet Boynes Ministries, whose website promises to help those “who are trapped in the
sin of homosexuality and yearn to be set free.” Those
conversations, along with other political disagreements, have strained the
family’s relationship with Genna, now a northeast Minnesota writer.
There are clearly deeper issues that were undermining the relationship between father and daugther. Notice that there is not a great deal of discussion or description about Genna's mother. Women need their mothers, those female role models to show them what it means to be a woman. It sure sounds as though she did not have that training when she was growing up.
Sen. Gazelka said he and his family
sought only to help their child through emotional turmoil. Maralee Gazelka
declined an interview through her husband’s Senate office.
sought only to help their child through emotional turmoil. Maralee Gazelka
declined an interview through her husband’s Senate office.
“I have five children. We love them
to the best of our ability,” the senator said. “She’s older. Her sexuality is
her responsibility, not mine. My responsibility is to love her, which I have
done all the way through.”
to the best of our ability,” the senator said. “She’s older. Her sexuality is
her responsibility, not mine. My responsibility is to love her, which I have
done all the way through.”
Exactly, and to be honest, it's reprehensible for the Minnesota press to take advantage of that very sensitive matter to shame and degrade and ultimately pressure the state senator to cave on the bill. Thankfully, the pastor did not budge.
Gazelka is far from the only
lawmaker with personal experiences around conversion therapy.
lawmaker with personal experiences around conversion therapy.
Sen. Scott Dibble, DFL-Minneapolis,
the author of the proposed conversion therapy ban, is one of the most
significant Minnesota gay-rights advocates of his generation. He choked up
during the Senate debate as he recalled suffering the drumbeat of shame in a
fundamentalist Christian community he joined as a teen: “There was hardly
anything worse than being what I knew I was deep inside myself.” In an
interview, he shared stories of friends who drifted into substance abuse and
personal isolation as they carried the scars of intrusive attempts at
conversion.
the author of the proposed conversion therapy ban, is one of the most
significant Minnesota gay-rights advocates of his generation. He choked up
during the Senate debate as he recalled suffering the drumbeat of shame in a
fundamentalist Christian community he joined as a teen: “There was hardly
anything worse than being what I knew I was deep inside myself.” In an
interview, he shared stories of friends who drifted into substance abuse and
personal isolation as they carried the scars of intrusive attempts at
conversion.
I don't believe this testimony. The fact that the reporter just takes it as "Gospel" truth that the treatments or therapy that Dibble received were shame inducing, to me that makes it all the more difficult to respect the reporting. Why was it shameful? What is wrong with explaining to people that homosexual behaviors are harmful? That is a form of love.
Sen. Matt Klein, DFL-Mendota
Heights, a physician, compared attempts at gay conversion to such archaic
techniques as bleeding patients to treat infectious disease, frontal lobotomies
for psychological problems and pulling teeth to treat schizophrenia. “The vote
to sustain conversion therapy will not age well,” Klein said in the Senate
debate. “It will be redolent down the years as we become more enlightened and
understand that this was torture.”
Heights, a physician, compared attempts at gay conversion to such archaic
techniques as bleeding patients to treat infectious disease, frontal lobotomies
for psychological problems and pulling teeth to treat schizophrenia. “The vote
to sustain conversion therapy will not age well,” Klein said in the Senate
debate. “It will be redolent down the years as we become more enlightened and
understand that this was torture.”
Senator Klein's hateful rhetoric is the real shame. It's absolutely disgusting that he would dare compare a clinically researched and supported therapy with blood-letting. Outrageous!
Mental health professionals
have long condemned the practice of attempting
to change the sexual orientation or gender identity of patients, which is banned in some form in at least 16 states.
have long condemned the practice of attempting
to change the sexual orientation or gender identity of patients, which is banned in some form in at least 16 states.
Overcoming conversion therapy can
take years, said Katie Spencer, a practicing psychologist and advocacy director
for the University of Minnesota’s Program in Human Sexuality. “It’s a trauma
because the message of conversion therapy is, ‘Who you are is not OK. We have
to change who you fundamentally are.’ Anytime you tell a human that, you are
scarring their sense of worth and being. That’s a trauma that is hard to heal
from.”
take years, said Katie Spencer, a practicing psychologist and advocacy director
for the University of Minnesota’s Program in Human Sexuality. “It’s a trauma
because the message of conversion therapy is, ‘Who you are is not OK. We have
to change who you fundamentally are.’ Anytime you tell a human that, you are
scarring their sense of worth and being. That’s a trauma that is hard to heal
from.”
More lies and propaganda. The health care professionals themselves have not condemned the practice in any professional sense of an opinion. They condemned the practice by and large due to political pressure and lobbying from homosexual activists, and the professional medical associations choose to condemn the practice based on a vote. That is not science.
Some conservative Christians fear
that a ban would be an assault on religious freedom.
that a ban would be an assault on religious freedom.
State Sen. Warren Limmer, R-Maple
Grove, said the DFL measure is too broadly worded and would allow anyone in the
state to bring legal action against entities that they see violating the
conversion therapy ban.
Grove, said the DFL measure is too broadly worded and would allow anyone in the
state to bring legal action against entities that they see violating the
conversion therapy ban.
Yes, such bans are a full-on assault on religious liberty. Most importantly, though, they are a full-on assault on the truth.
“The entity might be a church. The
entity might be the Catholic diocese,” Limmer warned.
entity might be the Catholic diocese,” Limmer warned.
Gazelka has expressed similar fears
about intrusions into religious liberty.
about intrusions into religious liberty.
An insurance agent and graduate of
Oral Roberts University, an evangelical liberal arts school in Oklahoma,
Gazelka, 59, has long focused on the intersection of business and conservative
Christianity, a topic he explored in a book, “Marketplace Ministers.”
Oral Roberts University, an evangelical liberal arts school in Oklahoma,
Gazelka, 59, has long focused on the intersection of business and conservative
Christianity, a topic he explored in a book, “Marketplace Ministers.”
A former state representative, he was elected to the
Minnesota Senate in 2010, riding a national Tea Party wave and
defeating incumbent Republican Paul Koering, believed to be the first openly
gay Republican elected official in Minnesota. The primary took place after
revelations that Koering had gone on a dinner date in Brainerd with a gay
pornographic actor. Gazelka emphasized his conservative values and opposition
to same-sex marriage, a cause he championed in 2012 as cosponsor of a failed
constitutional amendment.
Minnesota Senate in 2010, riding a national Tea Party wave and
defeating incumbent Republican Paul Koering, believed to be the first openly
gay Republican elected official in Minnesota. The primary took place after
revelations that Koering had gone on a dinner date in Brainerd with a gay
pornographic actor. Gazelka emphasized his conservative values and opposition
to same-sex marriage, a cause he championed in 2012 as cosponsor of a failed
constitutional amendment.
Wow! Gazelka is particularly tied to this issue! He defeated an openly gay Republican!
While Gazelka’s politics and rise to
Senate majority leader created more tension between father and child, Genna had
refrained from speaking publicly to respect the family’s wishes for privacy.
But learning of Gazelka’s role in determining the outcome of the conversion
therapy ban changed that.
Senate majority leader created more tension between father and child, Genna had
refrained from speaking publicly to respect the family’s wishes for privacy.
But learning of Gazelka’s role in determining the outcome of the conversion
therapy ban changed that.
“My question is, how can you say you
love me and still do this, and do it at the governmental level, exercise your
governmental authority, because you can’t stop me in my individual life,” Genna
said.
love me and still do this, and do it at the governmental level, exercise your
governmental authority, because you can’t stop me in my individual life,” Genna
said.
Notice how the press wanted to take every step possible to create dissension between father and daughter. This is shameful.
Citing the emotional weight of the
issue, Paul Gazelka has now turned to state Sen. Scott Jensen, R-Chaska, to
find an elusive compromise. That means the legislation now rests in the hands
of another physician, and another lawmaker with a deeply personal connection to
the issue of gay conversion therapy.
issue, Paul Gazelka has now turned to state Sen. Scott Jensen, R-Chaska, to
find an elusive compromise. That means the legislation now rests in the hands
of another physician, and another lawmaker with a deeply personal connection to
the issue of gay conversion therapy.
Jensen credits his own gay daughter
with helping him shed views he learned growing up in a small, traditional town
in southern Minnesota. “I’m exceedingly proud of her,” Jensen said. “She’s
helped me grow, she’s helped transform the way I look at things.”
with helping him shed views he learned growing up in a small, traditional town
in southern Minnesota. “I’m exceedingly proud of her,” Jensen said. “She’s
helped me grow, she’s helped transform the way I look at things.”
A bad father! He left the younger generation tell him that homosexuality was OK, and that he needed to "Get with the times." What a crock!
But Jensen said his patients are a
bigger influence on his thinking on the issue. Over the years, he’s seen teens
and adults struggle with depression, in some cases deciding to end their own
lives.
bigger influence on his thinking on the issue. Over the years, he’s seen teens
and adults struggle with depression, in some cases deciding to end their own
lives.
“In those times, when people are
trying to find themselves, the last thing they need is even the hint or the
whiff that someone is messing with their mind and trying to get them to a
preprogrammed point of view,” he said.
trying to find themselves, the last thing they need is even the hint or the
whiff that someone is messing with their mind and trying to get them to a
preprogrammed point of view,” he said.
Therapy is not about indoctrination, but helping individuals to make better decisions and resolve emotional issues. There is nothing wrong with parents taking the lead to ensure the healthiest, most wholesome outcomes for their children.
Jensen said he has been meeting with
advocates on both sides, trying to strike a balance between protecting talk
therapy and the free-speech rights of medical professionals and ensuring “young
people still trying to find themselves aren’t being channeled into an aversive
or coercive therapy.”
advocates on both sides, trying to strike a balance between protecting talk
therapy and the free-speech rights of medical professionals and ensuring “young
people still trying to find themselves aren’t being channeled into an aversive
or coercive therapy.”
Jensen ended his remarks during the
Senate debate by saying he would not take down the Senate’s Health and Human
Services budget, and so would oppose Dibble’s amendment banning conversion
therapy — an act he said filled with him with misgivings.
Senate debate by saying he would not take down the Senate’s Health and Human
Services budget, and so would oppose Dibble’s amendment banning conversion
therapy — an act he said filled with him with misgivings.
Conservatives are such fools, also trying to strike a balance. That is just wrong. There is no finding common ground on a lie. Reparative therapy does no harm to anyone. Helping children and adults with unwanted same-sex temptations is completely appropriate.
“When I drive home tonight, I’m
pretty sure I’ll be nauseated all the way,” he said after the vote.
pretty sure I’ll be nauseated all the way,” he said after the vote.
The ban could ultimately be decided
by lawmakers negotiating a final budget package. Jensen and Gazelka are both
confident an agreement is possible. Dibble, who has been advocating for the ban
for years, said he, too, feels momentum. The issue is moving because of the
courage of people who stepped forward to share their own stories, he said.
by lawmakers negotiating a final budget package. Jensen and Gazelka are both
confident an agreement is possible. Dibble, who has been advocating for the ban
for years, said he, too, feels momentum. The issue is moving because of the
courage of people who stepped forward to share their own stories, he said.
“Something very powerful is
happening,” Dibble said. “Hearts are being shifted and moved. Minds are being
changed.”
happening,” Dibble said. “Hearts are being shifted and moved. Minds are being
changed.”
For Genna Gazelka, growing support
from some Republicans is also welcome, albeit overdue. Genna is hopeful the ban
will pass and, eventually, the strained family relationship will be fully
repaired.
from some Republicans is also welcome, albeit overdue. Genna is hopeful the ban
will pass and, eventually, the strained family relationship will be fully
repaired.
Shame on any so-called Republican who would support a ban on reparative therapy. That is just shameful.
In 2012, Genna, then a graduate
student at the University of Tennessee, wrote a paper that recounted the experience of being the
first person in an extended family to come out as gay. The initial
response, Genna wrote, was unfamiliarity and uncertainty. But “little by little
by little, compromise on all our parts over the years has led to closer
relationships with deeper understanding and respect for each other’s opinions.
student at the University of Tennessee, wrote a paper that recounted the experience of being the
first person in an extended family to come out as gay. The initial
response, Genna wrote, was unfamiliarity and uncertainty. But “little by little
by little, compromise on all our parts over the years has led to closer
relationships with deeper understanding and respect for each other’s opinions.
“Because,” Genna continued, “as
families should, they love me regardless.”
families should, they love me regardless.”
Loving someone does not mean that the family members approve of the destructive behaviors. No parent can say that they love their children if they let them go ahead and abuse their bodies by engaging in unseemly conduct.
Final Reflection
I had wanted to write a comprehensive criticism of this article two years ago, but now I finally found the time to do it.
I am so glad that MassResistance was instrumental in skewering the passage of any kind of ban on reparative therapy. Indeed, it's disheartening that politicians on both sides of the aisle would feel compelled to push this kind of perverse program!
Thankfully, the Minnesota state legislature has not brought back any further attempts to ban reparative therapy. MassResistance activists are ready to prevent this bill from passing, and we are also targeting cities and county boards that are interested in passing similar ordinances.
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