2009 Anti-Heterosexism Conference: Nov 20-22, West Palm Beach, Florida

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I thought I’d share this for anyone else who might be interested.

The following is a simple copy and paste from the home page and the links should all be working.

I registered and am planning on being there since it’s just a two and a half hour hop skip and flip-flop from where I’m at.

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The 2009 Anti-Heterosexism Conference
Building Community to End the Harm Caused By Heterosexism & Reparative Therapy

Submit Workshop Proposal
Sponsored by
Soulforce, Truth Wins Out, the National Black Justice Coalition, Beyond Ex-Gay, Box Turtle Bulletin, and Equality Florida
November 20-22, 2009
West Palm Beach, Florida

FEATURING
Dr. Sylvia Rhue, Dr. Jack Drescher, and Rev. Deborah Johnson

Early Registration begins August 20 and ends October 5, 2009
ABOUT THE ANTI-HETEROSEXISM CONFERENCE:
Why in the world would we put "Anti" in the title of our conference?

The 2009 Anti-Heterosexism Conference is open to everyone who cares about the welfare of LGBTQ people and wants to help stop the harm caused by heterosexism, reparative therapy, ex-gay ministries and other sexual orientation change efforts. Conference attendees come from all walks of life and many professional backgrounds, including LGBTQ people, clergy, educators, mental health professionals, and allies. By attending this conference you will learn to:

• challenge heterosexist attitudes that exist on personal, interpersonal, institutional and cultural levels.
• speak out publicly against the dangers of reparative therapy, ex-gay ministries, and other "conversion" efforts.
• build community to advocate for LGBTQ people and support them in leading successful, happy, and productive lives.

The 2009 Anti-Heterosexism Conference also serves as a counter to the misinformation and harm perpetuated by the national antigay group NARTH (National Association for Research & Therapy of Homosexuality) which will be holding it's annual conference in West Palm Beach on the same weekend.

WHAT IS HETEROSEXISM AND ANTI-HETEROSEXISM?

Heterosexism is the presumption that others are heterosexual and that opposite sex attractions and relationships are preferable and superior to those of the same sex. Heterosexism has been encoded into nearly every major social, religious, cultural, and economic institution in our society and it leads directly to discrimination and the harmful efforts by some health care providers and religious groups to change or repress the sexual orientation of those under their care.

Anti-heterosexism involves recognizing and questioning the power and privileges society confers on heterosexual people because of their sexual orientation. It involves respecting and fostering the inclusivity and diversity of people of all sexual orientations and gender identities.

HOW ARE HETEROSEXISM AND "REPARATIVE THERAPY" RELATED?

One of the most destructive forms of heterosexism is the practice of "ex-gay" ministries and "reparative" or "sexual orientation conversion" therapies. Based on the false presumption that heterosexuality is superior to homosexuality, these treatments use scientifically unsound and outdated understandings of sexual and gender identity and offer false hope to vulnerable and distressed people, especially those from conservative religious backgrounds. The harm caused by such programs can be immense, with troubling ethical violations that may include breaches in patient/client confidentiality, and outcomes that increase the risk for depression, anxiety, and self-destructive behavior. Paid spokespersons from ex-gay ministries speak in courtrooms, school board meetings, and directly to legislators in Congress in order to deny LGBTQ people full civil equality.

Upon completing a careful scientific review of the published literature on conversion therapy, and having undergone a rigorous American Psychological Association peer review process, the Task Force on Appropriate Therapeutic Response to Sexual Orientation concluded that sexual orientation is unlikely to change due to "therapeutic" efforts and issued a resolution calling on mental health professionals to avoid telling clients they can change from gay to straight through therapy or other treatments. The full APA press release can be read at http://www.apa.org/releases/therapeutic.html.

The weather in West Palm Beach in November is beautiful - join us!






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