CA Gives Licenses to Illegals, Bans “Gay Therapy”

Today the state of California continued it’s march toward insanity with the passage of several controversial bills. Governor Jerry Brown signed AB2189, which “will let the Department of Motor Vehicles issue licenses to illegal immigrants eligible for work permits under a new Obama administration policy. The bill requires the department to accept as proof of legal residence whatever document the federal government provides to participants in its deferred action program,” according to CBS News. No more worrying about those pesky laws against illegal immigration. One needs only to head to their local DMV to obtain a valid state i.d. and avail themselves of all the privileges of being a citizen of this country without having to go through the process of actually becoming a citizen. As a friend of mine said today, has anyone told Jerry Brown yet i.d.’s are racist?

Brown also signed SB-1172, billed as Sexual Change Efforts. This bill “prohibits a mental health provider, as defined, from engaging in sexual orientation change efforts, as defined, with a patient under 18 years of age. The bill would provide that any sexual orientation change efforts attempted on a patient under 18 years of age by a mental health provider shall be considered unprofessional conduct and shall subject the provider to discipline by the provider’s licensing entity.” Although the bill specifically addresses mental health providers, a more in depth reading of the bill reveals language that basically makes the concept of reparative therapy for same sex attraction illegal under any circumstances, including in the religious sphere. The bill claims reparative therapies add to an air of intolerance, causing those who identify as homosexual to suffer rejection from family and society and adding to suicide rates. The Pacific Justice Institute has already launched a challenge to the bill, claiming it violates parental rights, freedom of religion and freedom of speech.

Cathy is a California mother who’s son Jack (names have been changed to protect privacy) has struggled with same sex attraction. Cathy and Jack sought out therapy to help him deal with his feelings and the arising consequences. Although Cathy says her son’s therapy was not focused on “conversion” it did lead to better understanding of his feelings and seemingly healthy opposite-sex relationships. Though Cathy’s son identifies as a bisexual she says, “if one assumes sexuality is on a scale and not binary then many bisexuals can choose. Some may choose straight, some may choose gay.” She goes on to say parents know what is best for their children and any anti-reparitive legislation isn’t going to change how a family accepts their gay child. In the end, Cathy echoes what many Americans believe: it should be up the individual whether or not they want to partake in such therapies, not the state.

I contacted Exodus International, which is a Christian ex-gay ministry. A representative told me they “are not a therapy organization” but declined further comment, saying an official response would be posted on their website shortly.

These bills are indicative of California’s downward slide: restricting the freedom of law-abiding citizens while granting more freedoms to those here illegally. Regardless of your feelings about homosexuality the idea of the state limiting how any one individual chooses to deal with the issue is a direct violation of our freedoms of speech and religion; and issuing valid state i.d. to illegal immigrants (essentially making them legal residents) is an insult to every immigrant waiting in line to gain the privileges of American citizenship the right way.

But if you’re a gay illegal alien, your life just got a whole lot easier.