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| MLA Jennifer Rice spoke in support of a private members motion on Monday, seeking to support a call to prohibit the practice of conversion therapy in the province of British Columbia |
North Coast MLA Jennifer Rice shared a number of personal experiences with members of the British Columbia Legislature on Monday morning, speaking to a private members motion from MLA Nicholas Simons that declared the Legislature in opposition to the practice of conversion therapy.
The motion as introduced by the MLA for Powell River-Sunshine Coast outlined how the therapy has been prohibited in many jurisdictions and that the Monday debate offered the chance for British Columbia to be added to that list.
We've seen legislation across North America, Europe and other countries that specifically prohibits the practise of trying to change the character of a young person through therapy. I'm kind of disappointed, in a way, that this even has to be talked about, not because it's not an important issue, but because I think — what we know as a society —we should be a little further past this. We shouldn't even be considering that this is even a possibility.
We do see it happening in other jurisdictions. We see some cases and a recent movie, in fact, Boy Erased, of this practise that takes place, perhaps out of sight. That's partly what this motion is hoping to bring out. In fact, is this occurring in British Columbia? If it is, it shouldn't be. If it is, it should be outright illegal. I don't think any regulatory body would allow their practitioners to participate in this kind of activity.
As part of Ms Rice's participation, the North Coast MLA recounted some of the days of her youth, making a passionate statement on the Chamber in opposition to the practice of conversion therapy and some of the damage that it can deliver.
Included in her testimony for the House was an account of her own experiences with the practice, with Ms. Rice revisiting for MLA's a time in her past when a counsellor had attempted to as she remembered to "cure" her of her homosexuality, as they would spend time seeking to 'pray away the gay'.
From her comments, she offered a glimpse into her experiences as she navigated the course of her life.
I'm happy to report that I escaped conversion therapy. Today I'm happily married to my wife, Andrea, who's here in the gallery today. I feel so fortunate to know her and to share a life with her, and I couldn't be happier, even if I was straight. I celebrate my great gay life.
Happily praying the gay away didn't work, but it also didn't cause me serious harm because of the foundation of unconditional love from my parents. Conversion therapy can cause people to feel that they are not okay to simply be who they are at their very core.
As part of her presentation for the Legislature, Ms. Rice noted how the practice of conversion therapy can give cause for people who are vulnerable to become depressed and suicidal.
The North Coast MLA called on some of her own journey to bring the message to the Legislature with eloquence and to provide a path for those who are having similar experiences today that she had in her own youth.
The full transcript of her comments for the Chamber can be reviewed from the Legislature Hansard here, starting at the 11:20 mark.
The video of her presentation in the House can be viewed below:
The entire discussion to the motion of Monday morning is also available from the Legislature record (see here) and through the Legislature video service (see here), the members of the House adoption the motion prior to the end of the morning's session.
The MLA also provided some further notes to her Facebook page, sharing more on the issue of conversion therapy with reminders that there are supportive services available in the community.
For more notes on the work of Northwest MLA's at the Legislature see our archive page here.
To return to the most recent blog posting of the day, click here.
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