Does Bill C-6 really explore sexuality?
By Ricardo Fortune
July 12, 2021
In this article, we will examine the clarification clause contained in Bill C-6. It is often claimed by supporters of a ban on "conversion therapy" that Bill C-6 will not penalize those who have questions because of the clarification clause that would allow exploration. Is it true? Here is how it is stated in the bill :
It is understood that this definition does not cover practices, treatments or services that relate to the exploration and development of an integrated personal identity without privileging any sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.
Can this section really reassure Canadians that if Bill C-6 comes into force, adults or minors who have questions about their sexuality will have access to the therapy of their choice? Are we to understand that if a person is not well in his homosexuality, this person will be able to explore heterosexuality? Certainly not! The wording of this part of the bill is somewhat confusing. It says explicitly "without privileging any sexual orientation". But we cannot explore any sexual orientation without a priori to favor it, because the act of choosing is in fact to favor something to the detriment of something else. Among the many sexual orientations that exist today, we should focus on one to explore. Common sense, which is not so common these days, demands that you begin by exploring your preferred sexual orientation. As long as the therapist is not the one who imposes his sexual preference on the client, the latter must be free to favor and explore any sexual orientation that he deems appropriate to his condition, including heterosexuality.
The other obstacle to exploration lies in the definition itself. Because the government also defines "conversion therapy" as any change in behavior, exploration is made impossible.
conversion therapy means a practice, treatment or service which aims to modify a person's sexual orientation to make him or her heterosexual… or to suppress or reduce any attraction or behavior non-heterosexual sexuality ...
July 12, 2021
In this article, we will examine the clarification clause contained in Bill C-6. It is often claimed by supporters of a ban on "conversion therapy" that Bill C-6 will not penalize those who have questions because of the clarification clause that would allow exploration. Is it true? Here is how it is stated in the bill :
It is understood that this definition does not cover practices, treatments or services that relate to the exploration and development of an integrated personal identity without privileging any sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.
Can this section really reassure Canadians that if Bill C-6 comes into force, adults or minors who have questions about their sexuality will have access to the therapy of their choice? Are we to understand that if a person is not well in his homosexuality, this person will be able to explore heterosexuality? Certainly not! The wording of this part of the bill is somewhat confusing. It says explicitly "without privileging any sexual orientation". But we cannot explore any sexual orientation without a priori to favor it, because the act of choosing is in fact to favor something to the detriment of something else. Among the many sexual orientations that exist today, we should focus on one to explore. Common sense, which is not so common these days, demands that you begin by exploring your preferred sexual orientation. As long as the therapist is not the one who imposes his sexual preference on the client, the latter must be free to favor and explore any sexual orientation that he deems appropriate to his condition, including heterosexuality.
The other obstacle to exploration lies in the definition itself. Because the government also defines "conversion therapy" as any change in behavior, exploration is made impossible.
conversion therapy means a practice, treatment or service which aims to modify a person's sexual orientation to make him or her heterosexual… or to suppress or reduce any attraction or behavior non-heterosexual sexuality ...
At first, it may not be clear why this clause prevents exploration. The following example should be able to enlighten. Take the case of a man who wants to explore veganism. To do this, he must suppress and reduce his attraction to meat. In other words, he has to change his behavior of "meat eater". Bill C-6 would prohibit any therapy that attempts to suppress or reduce non-heterosexual sexual attraction or behavior. How could a homosexual explore heterosexuality if they cannot reduce or suppress their homosexual attractions or sexual behavior? The answer is - he can't! To explore heterosexuality, one must necessarily work to suppress or reduce conflicting desires. If the government does not allow behavior change, then exploration of heterosexuality is made impossible.
However, Bill C-6 would allow a straight man to explore homosexuality! How? 'Or' What? As stated in the definition, the prohibition only applies when it comes to suppressing or reducing non-heterosexual attraction. The repression of heterosexual desire would be permitted. This blatant double standard is shameful. The government seems to be sending the signal that there is something wrong with the promotion of heterosexuality.
Someone might say, "If you feel an attraction to a person of the same sex or struggle with homosexual behavior, doesn't that mean you are gay?" Not according to science. Experts agree that there is a distinction between sexual orientation and sexual behavior. The APC makes this very clear in its position paper titled: Mental Health Care and Services for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer People.
It is important to stress that sexual behavior does not always match with sexual orientation or gender identity ...
They also say:
Sexual behavior: The sexual actions of a person, the way they act sexually. Sexual behavior is not necessarily consistent with gender orientation or gender identity .
We have covered this point several times in other articles. Right now what we're saying is that Canadians should be able to go through therapy to align their sexual behavior with their gender identity. Under Bill C-6, a person who exhibits unwanted homosexual behaviors or attractions would not be able to align them with the sexual orientation with which they identify.
In summary, the current reading of the bill is inconsistent in that it precludes favoring a sexual orientation when the very act of exploring requires it. Far from allowing exploration, this bill limits the range of alternatives that can be explored. To talk about true exploration, you need to be able to explore all options unhindered, including heterosexuality. To truly explore a sexual orientation, certain attractions and behaviors may need to be changed, repressed, or reduced, and it is the role of the therapist to help her client to do so. For these reasons, Bill C-6 seriously limits the possibility of sexual exploration by excluding heterosexuality from the range of options that we can explore.It thus penalizes the minorities it seeks to defend.
However, Bill C-6 would allow a straight man to explore homosexuality! How? 'Or' What? As stated in the definition, the prohibition only applies when it comes to suppressing or reducing non-heterosexual attraction. The repression of heterosexual desire would be permitted. This blatant double standard is shameful. The government seems to be sending the signal that there is something wrong with the promotion of heterosexuality.
Someone might say, "If you feel an attraction to a person of the same sex or struggle with homosexual behavior, doesn't that mean you are gay?" Not according to science. Experts agree that there is a distinction between sexual orientation and sexual behavior. The APC makes this very clear in its position paper titled: Mental Health Care and Services for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer People.
It is important to stress that sexual behavior does not always match with sexual orientation or gender identity ...
They also say:
Sexual behavior: The sexual actions of a person, the way they act sexually. Sexual behavior is not necessarily consistent with gender orientation or gender identity .
We have covered this point several times in other articles. Right now what we're saying is that Canadians should be able to go through therapy to align their sexual behavior with their gender identity. Under Bill C-6, a person who exhibits unwanted homosexual behaviors or attractions would not be able to align them with the sexual orientation with which they identify.
In summary, the current reading of the bill is inconsistent in that it precludes favoring a sexual orientation when the very act of exploring requires it. Far from allowing exploration, this bill limits the range of alternatives that can be explored. To talk about true exploration, you need to be able to explore all options unhindered, including heterosexuality. To truly explore a sexual orientation, certain attractions and behaviors may need to be changed, repressed, or reduced, and it is the role of the therapist to help her client to do so. For these reasons, Bill C-6 seriously limits the possibility of sexual exploration by excluding heterosexuality from the range of options that we can explore.It thus penalizes the minorities it seeks to defend.
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