Refusal to recognize the rights of Americans to seek help is nothing new, but in this case it is also unconstitutional
Rancho Santa Fe, California – Today, President Obama injected his views into the personal decisions of private individuals seeking counseling, calling for a ban on conversion therapy for minors.
“President
Obama and politicians in Washington have no place prohibiting teens and
parents across America from seeking counseling. Dictates from
Washington that prevent free people from exercising their First
Amendment rights to make these personal decisions without government
interference are repulsive,” said Maggie Gallagher, Chairman of the Board of Freedom of Conscience Defense Fund.
The Freedom of Conscience Defense Fund will defend these First Amendment rights in court this summer by defending JONAH (Jews Offering New Alternatives for Healing),
a Jewish group which helps those who deal with unwanted same-sex
attractions by providing a community with educational outreach services,
including counseling referrals, for affected individuals and their
families.
“Seeking
counseling is a very private and personal decision people make and
coercive tactics to shut down all alternatives for people with same-sex
attraction is simply wrong. The President’s refusal to recognize the
rights of Americans to seek help is nothing new, but in this case it is
also unconstitutional,” Gallagher noted.
The
Freedom of Conscience Defense Fund is a nonprofit, public-interest law
firm which defends the conscience rights and religious freedom of those
of all faiths and no faith. The Freedom of Conscience Defense Fund's
mission is to defend religious freedom by providing protective legal
services at the trial level to persons whose religious liberty and
free-speech rights have been attacked. Located in San Diego and led by
experienced trial attorney Charles LiMandri, FCDF assists individuals
and organizations nationwide with pro bono services.
Maggie
Gallagher, Chairman of the Board of Freedom of Conscience Defense Fund,
is available for commentary. Please contact Ryan Hughes at RHughes@SBPublicAffairs.com, by phone at (703) 739-5920 or by cell at (224) 723-8688 for more information.
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Thank you for your continued support and prayers!
For Life and Freedom,
Scott Maxwell
Executive Director
Freedom of Conscience Defense Fund
858-759-9948
www.ConscienceDefense.org
