lifesitenews--2020-03-14--Court rejects appeal of Argentinian doctor found guilty for refusing to abort 23-week-old baby

March 13 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – The appeal of a doctor who refused to perform a legal late-term abortion on a 23-week pregnant woman was rejected Wednesday by a court in Rio Negro on the grounds that he had not fulfilled his duties as a public functionary in the local public hospital .
Dr. Leandro Rodriguez Lastra ’ s 14-month suspended prison sentence has been confirmed and he will also be suspended from all public appointments for 28 months , as was decided by the first judges last May .
The decision of the appeals court against the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ province of Rio Negro , included language about women 's personal right to “ autonomy ” and the need to judge the case according to “ gender perspective.
” One judge even spoke of “ obstetrical violence.
” Thanks to this doctor , a two-year-old little boy is alive and well today .
Rodriguez Lastra ’ s lawyer , Damián Torres , has already indicated that the decision will be submitted to Rio Negro province ’ s Supreme Court .
He told the local press that he considered the decision to be “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chief public prosecutor , asked for an additional trial to take place in order to determine which “ rules of conduct ” the doctor will have to comply with in order to avoid being ordered to execute his prison sentence .
The judges agreed with this and ordered the new proceedings .
Under Argentinian law , these can include having to live in a determined place , being banned from meeting with certain people or using drugs or alcohol , following psychological or medical treatment , or working for the state or charitable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working hours .
In Rodriguez ’ s case , the public prosecutor has already told the press that he would like to see the doctor follow courses on informed consent , legal pregnancy termination and “ gender perspective.
” Márquez Gauna also suggested that besides being banned from public employment , the doctor ’ s right to practice medicine should also be suspended for 28 months .
This demand was not upheld by the judges .
Abortion is still illegal in Argentina , although the federal Congress is in the process of examining @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whole of the country .
Under a federal Supreme Court decision that has been approved for Rio Negro by special protocol , pregnancies resulting from rape ( theoretically , of a mentally impaired woman ) or presenting a risk for the life of the woman may be legally aborted .
In Rio Negro , any woman who claims she has been raped may obtain legal access to abortion on application to a public hospital .
She is under no obligation to prove that her pregnancy was the result of sexual assault .
However @ @ @ @ @ @ @ neighboring towns are conscientious objectors .
Rodriguez Lastra , head of the gynecology department of the public Pedro Moguillansky Hospital in Cipolletti when the woman in the case arrived there two years ago for an abortion , was not listed as a conscientious objector at the time .
The judiciary persecution of Rodriguez Lastra started on flimsy grounds .
The 19-year-old woman in the case had at first sought an abortion in the neighboring town of Fernandez Oro where she claimed she had been raped .
At the local hospital there , doctors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ La Revuelta.
” The young women presented herself days later at the Cipolletti public hospital , alleging that she had been given Oxaprost ( Misoprostol ) in order to induce abortion and asking for the abortion to be completed .
Dr. Rodriguez considered that she was at risk of having a serious and even life-threatening infection and administered anti-contraction medication .
He was also unable to determine whether she had in fact taken abortion-inducing pills .
There was no dilation or bleeding .
He judged her to be about five months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abortion pills at that stage ( chemical abortion is linked to complications for the mother after 10 or 12 weeks pregnancy at the outside ) .
The woman remained in hospital with her full consent , according to Rodriguez Lastra , in view of receiving a cesarean as soon as her baby would have every chance of surviving the operation .
This happened at 7 1/2 months and the baby was born in good health .
Abortion activists then picked up the case in order to fault the doctor for his refusal to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they accused him during the subsequent trial of having used “ dilatory maneuvres ” because he asked for the young woman to have psychiatric screening .
Last October , Cipolletto judges decided that he had “ never had the intention of performing the abortion.
” The appeal judgment on Wednesday was a divided decision , where one judge considered Rodriguez Lastra not guilty against the two others , Miguel Angel Cardella and Maria Rita Custet Llambí , who went further than the first judges .
Rodriguez Lastra unsuccessfully asked for them to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had “ expressed her position ” on the case before hearing it “ and should never have intervened.
” As for Cardella , he is known to be in favor of abortion .
There is ample evidence of this in his explanatory statement about his vote : “ A woman who is pregnant as a result of rape has the right to access to the medical practice of a non-punishable abortion in public health facilities and the accused obstructed that process , ” he wrote , adding , “ The accused doctor did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ woman in the exercise of her medical profession as an employee of the public hospital of the province .
Therefore , under the existing medical rule , the gynecologist Rodríguez Lastra was obliged to accompany the abortion process that had been initiated.
” “ Since free individual choice of life plans and the adoption of ideals of human excellence are valuable , the state ( and other individuals ) should not interfere in that choice or adoption.
” He deplored that the victim “ was not listened to.
” “ Our local law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lastra is accused , regulates article 86 of the Penal Code : When a woman becomes pregnant as a result of rape , that woman has the right to petition the provincial public health authorities to perform an abortion because she wishes not to have the fetus in her body .
It is her will , because she is the owner of her body , she decides about it , in this specific case because it was violated ; there is no other right above her decision.
” This would be equivalent to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cardella made it clear that in these cases there can be no debate or discussion as can exist about “ voluntary termination of pregnancy.
” “ In the context of this case , abortion is permitted because the woman was a victim of a sexual crime of abuse through carnal access.
” Even more radically , he said , “ She wanted an abortion , the accused did not take into account her will to decide about her body and health ; they made her give birth .
That 's gender-based and obstetric @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : “ This is about judging the facts within the context of gender inequality and eliminating the generic stereotypes , which are ‘ irrational cognitive elements we see as absolute truths ’ and that have been socially transmitted.
” She went on to write : “ Once again the law , interpreted from a patriarchal viewpoint , would operate as a trap for the effectiveness of women ’ s rights and would unjustifiably exculpate those who act against the law , failing in their duties and violating the fundamental rights of pregnant women @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under an undoubted asymmetry of power ( … ) : the defendant used his position as a medical professional to administer a drug to contain and reverse the process of interrupting the pregnancy initiated by the patient herself , so as not to carry out the act she was demanding , all of this without requiring any consent or providing any explanation.
” “ From a structural , contextual and intersectional approach , it does not escape me that the victim finds herself traversed by multiple vulnerabilities that accompany her gender condition , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a victim of various forms of violence since childhood , to which is added her condition as a pregnant woman resulting from sexual assault , with great difficulty in communicating her opinions and expressions in the debate , to which is added the violence to which she was subjected in the health system that was supposed to assist her .
Faced with the intersection of so many vulnerabilities , the accused overpowered the young woman ’ s self-determination , giving priority to the reproductive function that she symbolized as a woman , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to health and to be informed , accompanied , sustained and respected in the process of interrupting the pregnancy , an interruption to which she had a right over any other right or interest.
” “ Ignoring a woman ’ s voice , ignoring her vital needs , subjugating reproductive rights , devastating the psyche and enslaving the body in order to force pregnancy after a rape , means denying the victim ’ s status as a subject of law and leads to the incarnation of gender violence in its most painful form @ @ @ @ @ @ @ commenting on the decision , called the two judges ’ explanations “ a mere ideological expression that shows that they did not look at anything in the trial ; in fact , they practically do not cite the witnesses or anything that happened in court.
” “ It ’ s as if they did n't see it .
This is consistent with the challenge we made against these judges prior to our recourse , ” he said .
He added that the plainly ideological arguing of the decision made him hopeful that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @

March 13, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – The appeal of a doctor who refused to perform a legal late-term abortion on a 23-week pregnant woman was rejected Wednesday by a court in Rio Negro on the grounds that he had not fulfilled his duties as a public functionary in the local public hospital.
Dr. Leandro Rodriguez Lastra’s 14-month suspended prison sentence has been confirmed and he will also be suspended from all public appointments for 28 months, as was decided by the first judges last May.
The decision of the appeals court against the doctor from Cipolletti, in the central province of Rio Negro, included language about women's personal right to “autonomy” and the need to judge the case according to “gender perspective.” One judge even spoke of “obstetrical violence.”
Thanks to this doctor, a two-year-old little boy is alive and well today.
Rodriguez Lastra’s lawyer, Damián Torres, has already indicated that the decision will be submitted to Rio Negro province’s Supreme Court. He told the local press that he considered the decision to be “ideological.”
Santiago Márquez Gauna, the chief public prosecutor, asked for an additional trial to take place in order to determine which “rules of conduct” the doctor will have to comply with in order to avoid being ordered to execute his prison sentence. The judges agreed with this and ordered the new proceedings.
Under Argentinian law, these can include having to live in a determined place, being banned from meeting with certain people or using drugs or alcohol, following psychological or medical treatment, or working for the state or charitable institutions free of charge outside of normal working hours.
In Rodriguez’s case, the public prosecutor has already told the press that he would like to see the doctor follow courses on informed consent, legal pregnancy termination and “gender perspective.”
Márquez Gauna also suggested that besides being banned from public employment, the doctor’s right to practice medicine should also be suspended for 28 months. This demand was not upheld by the judges.
Abortion is still illegal in Argentina, although the federal Congress is in the process of examining a new liberal abortion law for the whole of the country. Under a federal Supreme Court decision that has been approved for Rio Negro by special protocol, pregnancies resulting from rape (theoretically, of a mentally impaired woman) or presenting a risk for the life of the woman may be legally aborted.
In Rio Negro, any woman who claims she has been raped may obtain legal access to abortion on application to a public hospital. She is under no obligation to prove that her pregnancy was the result of sexual assault. However, most doctors in Cipolletti and the neighboring towns are conscientious objectors. Rodriguez Lastra, head of the gynecology department of the public Pedro Moguillansky Hospital in Cipolletti when the woman in the case arrived there two years ago for an abortion, was not listed as a conscientious objector at the time.
The judiciary persecution of Rodriguez Lastra started on flimsy grounds. The 19-year-old woman in the case had at first sought an abortion in the neighboring town of Fernandez Oro where she claimed she had been raped. At the local hospital there, doctors sent her off to a feminist NGO, “La Revuelta.”
The young women presented herself days later at the Cipolletti public hospital, alleging that she had been given Oxaprost (Misoprostol) in order to induce abortion and asking for the abortion to be completed. Dr. Rodriguez considered that she was at risk of having a serious and even life-threatening infection and administered anti-contraction medication. He was also unable to determine whether she had in fact taken abortion-inducing pills.
There was no dilation or bleeding. He judged her to be about five months along and in no condition to receive abortion pills at that stage (chemical abortion is linked to complications for the mother after 10 or 12 weeks pregnancy at the outside).
The woman remained in hospital with her full consent, according to Rodriguez Lastra, in view of receiving a cesarean as soon as her baby would have every chance of surviving the operation. This happened at 7 1/2 months and the baby was born in good health.
Abortion activists then picked up the case in order to fault the doctor for his refusal to kill the child; in particular, they accused him during the subsequent trial of having used “dilatory maneuvres” because he asked for the young woman to have psychiatric screening. Last October, Cipolletto judges decided that he had “never had the intention of performing the abortion.”
The appeal judgment on Wednesday was a divided decision, where one judge considered Rodriguez Lastra not guilty against the two others, Miguel Angel Cardella and Maria Rita Custet Llambí, who went further than the first judges.
Rodriguez Lastra unsuccessfully asked for them to be disqualified on the grounds that the latter had “expressed her position” on the case before hearing it “and should never have intervened.” As for Cardella, he is known to be in favor of abortion.
There is ample evidence of this in his explanatory statement about his vote:
“A woman who is pregnant as a result of rape has the right to access to the medical practice of a non-punishable abortion in public health facilities and the accused obstructed that process,” he wrote, adding, “The accused doctor did not respect the personal autonomy of the woman in the exercise of her medical profession as an employee of the public hospital of the province. Therefore, under the existing medical rule, the gynecologist Rodríguez Lastra was obliged to accompany the abortion process that had been initiated.”
Cardella defined personal autonomy in these terms:
“Since free individual choice of life plans and the adoption of ideals of human excellence are valuable, the state (and other individuals) should not interfere in that choice or adoption.”
He deplored that the victim “was not listened to.”
“Our local law, in the name of which Rodríguez Lastra is accused, regulates article 86 of the Penal Code: When a woman becomes pregnant as a result of rape, that woman has the right to petition the provincial public health authorities to perform an abortion because she wishes not to have the fetus in her body. It is her will, because she is the owner of her body, she decides about it, in this specific case because it was violated; there is no other right above her decision.”
This would be equivalent to an absolute right to abortion, and Cardella made it clear that in these cases there can be no debate or discussion as can exist about “voluntary termination of pregnancy.” “In the context of this case, abortion is permitted because the woman was a victim of a sexual crime of abuse through carnal access.”
Even more radically, he said, “She wanted an abortion, the accused did not take into account her will to decide about her body and health; they made her give birth. That's gender-based and obstetric violence.”
Custet Llambí adopted similar language: “This is about judging the facts within the context of gender inequality and eliminating the generic stereotypes, which are ‘irrational cognitive elements we see as absolute truths’ and that have been socially transmitted.”
She went on to write:
“Once again the law, interpreted from a patriarchal viewpoint, would operate as a trap for the effectiveness of women’s rights and would unjustifiably exculpate those who act against the law, failing in their duties and violating the fundamental rights of pregnant women. The actions analyzed have been executed under an undoubted asymmetry of power (…): the defendant used his position as a medical professional to administer a drug to contain and reverse the process of interrupting the pregnancy initiated by the patient herself, so as not to carry out the act she was demanding, all of this without requiring any consent or providing any explanation.”
It gets worse:
“From a structural, contextual and intersectional approach, it does not escape me that the victim finds herself traversed by multiple vulnerabilities that accompany her gender condition, such as her youth, her quality as a victim of various forms of violence since childhood, to which is added her condition as a pregnant woman resulting from sexual assault, with great difficulty in communicating her opinions and expressions in the debate, to which is added the violence to which she was subjected in the health system that was supposed to assist her. Faced with the intersection of so many vulnerabilities, the accused overpowered the young woman’s self-determination, giving priority to the reproductive function that she symbolized as a woman, over her dignity, over her right to health and to be informed, accompanied, sustained and respected in the process of interrupting the pregnancy, an interruption to which she had a right over any other right or interest.”
And worse:
“Ignoring a woman’s voice, ignoring her vital needs, subjugating reproductive rights, devastating the psyche and enslaving the body in order to force pregnancy after a rape, means denying the victim’s status as a subject of law and leads to the incarnation of gender violence in its most painful form,” Custet concluded.
Torres, commenting on the decision, called the two judges’ explanations “a mere ideological expression that shows that they did not look at anything in the trial; in fact, they practically do not cite the witnesses or anything that happened in court.” “It’s as if they didn't see it. This is consistent with the challenge we made against these judges prior to our recourse,” he said.
He added that the plainly ideological arguing of the decision made him hopeful that the provincial Supreme Court will reverse it.
Share


lifesitenews--2020-03-13--Coronavirus causes abortion referendum postponement in Gibraltar

March 13 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – The government of Gibraltar has announced that due to the ongoing global coronavirus crisis it is delaying a referendum on whether or not the territory will accept new abortion legislation .
The vote had been scheduled for March 19 but will now be rescheduled for a time when “ there will be no risk to any age group entitled to vote.
” Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory located at the southern tip of the Iberian Peninsula and has its own laws governing abortion .
Abortion remains a crime in Gibraltar under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Gibraltar and carries with it the sentence of life imprisonment .
That being said , no woman has been sentenced under this provision .
In July 2019 , the Gibraltar Parliament voted to allow abortion before the 12th week of pregnancy where the mother ’ s mental or physical health is deemed to be at risk , and later in pregnancies when the unborn child suffers from an undefined “ abnormality.
” But a pro-life petition , signed by more than 6,000 people , helped convince the parliament to hold a referendum @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week , the government advised elderly people and people with underlying health conditions that they should keep movement to a minimum , avoid large gatherings and only leave their homes if absolutely necessary .
The government said that such advice “ may appear to contradict the call to a vote by universal suffrage which could then lead the result of the Referendum , whatever it may turn out to be , to be called into question.
” Chief Minister Fabian Picardo has spoken to leaders of both the pro-life and pro-abortion campaigns , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the best course of action .
“ Slowing the inevitable spread of the virus in Gibraltar requires us to act decisively and to adapt on a dynamic basis to the circumstances as they develop .
I believe this is the right decision for the difficult weeks ahead , ” Picardo said .
Patricia Parody , chairperson of the Gibraltar Pro-Life Movement , said , “ We concur with the decision taken by the Chief Minister to postpone the referendum in view of the current public health emergency .
During this unsettling time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Gibraltar pulls together and supports each other.
” Last month , Dr. Anthony McCarthy of the UK pro-life group the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children ( SPUC ) told LifeSite that “ the proposed changes to the law make it clear that abortion on demand is the real goal ” for those pushing abortion in Gibraltar .
“ We know from bitter experience what happens when ‘ grounds ’ for abortion are used to make the practice more palatable and how social abortion becomes the norm , together with explicit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disabilities , ” McCarthy said .

The country will delay a vote until no age group old enough to participate is at risk from the virus.
March 13, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – The government of Gibraltar has announced that due to the ongoing global coronavirus crisis it is delaying a referendum on whether or not the territory will accept new abortion legislation.
The vote had been scheduled for March 19 but will now be rescheduled for a time when “there will be no risk to any age group entitled to vote.”
Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory located at the southern tip of the Iberian Peninsula and has its own laws governing abortion. Abortion remains a crime in Gibraltar under Section 162 of the 2011 Crimes Act of Gibraltar and carries with it the sentence of life imprisonment. That being said, no woman has been sentenced under this provision.
In July 2019, the Gibraltar Parliament voted to allow abortion before the 12th week of pregnancy where the mother’s mental or physical health is deemed to be at risk, and later in pregnancies when the unborn child suffers from an undefined “abnormality.”
But a pro-life petition, signed by more than 6,000 people, helped convince the parliament to hold a referendum on the new law.
Earlier this week, the government advised elderly people and people with underlying health conditions that they should keep movement to a minimum, avoid large gatherings and only leave their homes if absolutely necessary. The government said that such advice “may appear to contradict the call to a vote by universal suffrage which could then lead the result of the Referendum, whatever it may turn out to be, to be called into question.”
Chief Minister Fabian Picardo has spoken to leaders of both the pro-life and pro-abortion campaigns, with all reportedly agreeing that a delay is the best course of action.
“Slowing the inevitable spread of the virus in Gibraltar requires us to act decisively and to adapt on a dynamic basis to the circumstances as they develop. I believe this is the right decision for the difficult weeks ahead,” Picardo said.
Patricia Parody, chairperson of the Gibraltar Pro-Life Movement, said, “We concur with the decision taken by the Chief Minister to postpone the referendum in view of the current public health emergency. During this unsettling time, it is important that the whole of Gibraltar pulls together and supports each other.”
Last month, Dr. Anthony McCarthy of the UK pro-life group the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC) told LifeSite that “the proposed changes to the law make it clear that abortion on demand is the real goal” for those pushing abortion in Gibraltar.
“We know from bitter experience what happens when ‘grounds’ for abortion are used to make the practice more palatable and how social abortion becomes the norm, together with explicit lethal discrimination against any unborn child with disabilities,” McCarthy said.
Share


lifesitenews--2020-03-13--Woman who tried to be male accuses doctor of lying about ‘transition’ impact

BELGIUM , March 13 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — A 21-year-old woman from Belgium who portrayed herself as a male , then reverted to presenting herself according to her true sex is speaking out about the deception of the doctor who encouraged her to go through with hormone drugs and mutilating surgery and the lack of countervailing voices that could have spared her the experience .
This week , the BBC published an interview with Ellie and her 24-year-old paramour Nele , who is also a former “ trans man.
” Both subjected themselves to testosterone as well as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was doing a lot of boy things , and some people weren ’ t fine with that — especially other kids , ” Ellie recalls of her childhood .
In her teens , she came out as a lesbian and decided , “ I just didn ’ t want to be a woman .
I wanted to be neutral and do whatever I wanted.
” She began to seek out male hormones at age 16 after seeing YouTube videos on the subject .
The first doctor she and her parents consulted suggested waiting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ found a second one who told her what she wanted to hear .
A year later , she had her breasts removed .
“ He told my parents that all the effects [ of hormones ] were reversible — which is the biggest lie , ” Ellie recalls .
“ I had done my research , and I knew that this doctor could not be trusted .
But I was just so happy that he said that , because then my parents were OK with it.
” Her father Eric recalls having reservations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this was for the best .
“ I would ’ ve liked to have met someone to give me the words and find arguments to make her wait and think about it longer , but there was no-one , ” he admits .
As a university student in Germany , Ellie initially enjoyed living as and passing for a man , but eventually , she “ started to feel like I had to hide so many aspects of my life , and not talk about my childhood as a girl .
I didn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a cis man , and I started to feel like I didn ’ t fit in anywhere.
” These issues made dating a challenge , but eventually she met Nele , and the two bonded over their shared issues .
Nele too had grown up uncomfortable with her sex , had taken transgender hormones , and with Ellie ’ s support had her own double mastectomy .
Yet personal and ideological factors both continued to cast doubts on their “ male ” identities .
The ongoing debate between transgender activists and traditional feminists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transgendered or if her change was “ just a way I found to go through life , ” while she and Nele were both diagnosed with vaginal atrophy , a side-effect of testosterone .
“ Isn ’ t it worth trying to go natural for a bit , and just see how it goes ?
” Nele thought , and Ellie agreed .
Today , the two maintain the website Post-Trans.com , a “ space for female detransitioners and desisters to share their journeys.
” “ Detransitioning for me means to stop denying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ellie writes .
“ Detransitioning for me means taking agency over my dysphoria .
Detransitioning for me means discovering the body I started altering since the age of 16 and finally working on accepting it exactly the way it is .
Detransitioning for me does not mean trying to go back to my insecure 16-year-old self , but to move forward and become the strong female individual I want to be.
” Nele says that despite her experiences and ultimate decision to reverse it , she doesn ’ t regret her initial transition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alternative to suicide she saw at the time but acknowledges that it “ also brought me to a place of reflection on why I really transitioned , ” which eventually ended with her resolving to “ face the bad image of women that society taught me and embrace a new and stronger one.
” A range of medical literature suggests that exposing gender-confused children to “ transition ” treatment is harmful in the long run , in no small part because fixating on “ gender affirmation ” tends to distract from exploring other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a patient ’ s mental or emotional unrest .
In 2017 , the University of Cambridge ’ s Stonewall report found that 96 percent of trans students in Scotland attempted self-harm through actions such as cutting themselves , and 40 percent attempted suicide .
Forty percent in the United States have attempted suicide , as well , according to a 2016 survey from the National Center for Transgender Equality ( NCTE ) .
According to a 2011 study out of Sweden , trans people remain 19 times more likely to commit suicide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surgery to reconstruct their bodies .

'I had done my research, and I knew that this doctor could not be trusted. But I was just so happy that he said that, because then my parents were OK with it.'
BELGIUM, March 13, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — A 21-year-old woman from Belgium who portrayed herself as a male, then reverted to presenting herself according to her true sex is speaking out about the deception of the doctor who encouraged her to go through with hormone drugs and mutilating surgery and the lack of countervailing voices that could have spared her the experience.
This week, the BBC published an interview with Ellie and her 24-year-old paramour Nele, who is also a former “trans man.” Both subjected themselves to testosterone as well as double mastectomies.
“I realised I was doing a lot of boy things, and some people weren’t fine with that — especially other kids,” Ellie recalls of her childhood. In her teens, she came out as a lesbian and decided, “I just didn’t want to be a woman. I wanted to be neutral and do whatever I wanted.”
She began to seek out male hormones at age 16 after seeing YouTube videos on the subject. The first doctor she and her parents consulted suggested waiting until she was older, so she found a second one who told her what she wanted to hear. A year later, she had her breasts removed.
“He told my parents that all the effects [of hormones] were reversible — which is the biggest lie,” Ellie recalls. “I had done my research, and I knew that this doctor could not be trusted. But I was just so happy that he said that, because then my parents were OK with it.”
Her father Eric recalls having reservations but feeling reassured by the doctor that this was for the best. “I would’ve liked to have met someone to give me the words and find arguments to make her wait and think about it longer, but there was no-one,” he admits.
As a university student in Germany, Ellie initially enjoyed living as and passing for a man, but eventually, she “started to feel like I had to hide so many aspects of my life, and not talk about my childhood as a girl. I didn’t feel comfortable being seen as a cis man, and I started to feel like I didn’t fit in anywhere.”
These issues made dating a challenge, but eventually she met Nele, and the two bonded over their shared issues. Nele too had grown up uncomfortable with her sex, had taken transgender hormones, and with Ellie’s support had her own double mastectomy.
Yet personal and ideological factors both continued to cast doubts on their “male” identities. The ongoing debate between transgender activists and traditional feminists had Ellie questioning if she was truly transgendered or if her change was “just a way I found to go through life,” while she and Nele were both diagnosed with vaginal atrophy, a side-effect of testosterone.
“Isn’t it worth trying to go natural for a bit, and just see how it goes?” Nele thought, and Ellie agreed.
Today, the two maintain the website Post-Trans.com, a “space for female detransitioners and desisters to share their journeys.”
“Detransitioning for me means to stop denying the female experience I have,” Ellie writes. “Detransitioning for me means taking agency over my dysphoria. Detransitioning for me means discovering the body I started altering since the age of 16 and finally working on accepting it exactly the way it is. Detransitioning for me does not mean trying to go back to my insecure 16-year-old self, but to move forward and become the strong female individual I want to be.”
Nele says that despite her experiences and ultimate decision to reverse it, she doesn’t regret her initial transition. She credits transition as the only alternative to suicide she saw at the time but acknowledges that it “also brought me to a place of reflection on why I really transitioned,” which eventually ended with her resolving to “face the bad image of women that society taught me and embrace a new and stronger one.”
A range of medical literature suggests that exposing gender-confused children to “transition” treatment is harmful in the long run, in no small part because fixating on “gender affirmation” tends to distract from exploring other issues that may be at the root of a patient’s mental or emotional unrest.
In 2017, the University of Cambridge’s Stonewall report found that 96 percent of trans students in Scotland attempted self-harm through actions such as cutting themselves, and 40 percent attempted suicide. Forty percent in the United States have attempted suicide, as well, according to a 2016 survey from the National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE). According to a 2011 study out of Sweden, trans people remain 19 times more likely to commit suicide than the general population, even after surgery to reconstruct their bodies.
Share


lifesitenews--2020-03-13--Coronavirus is threatening lives…and LifeSite’s mission

March 13 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – With news continuing to break about schools , churches , travel , and large gatherings cancelling and closing left and right , COVID-19 is impacting our lives at every turn , but it ’ s important that we understand everything that is at stake for LifeSiteNews .
The crisis that is ensuing due to the coronavirus in our communities , churches , schools , and economy is very real and it is affecting all of us in one way or another .
My heart goes out to all those personally affected .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s safety and recovery worldwide .
My husband and I were doing great at avoiding the panic , until we went to do our usual Costco run the other day .
We walked in and there stood a large sign listing products that were being limited to two items per customer : toilet paper , diapers , wipes , rice , and the list went on .
We didn ’ t think much of it until we walked through the store and found the same sign in the back section where all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another sign announcing that they were out of toilet paper .
When we went to the diaper aisle , diapers were close to being completely out .
With two children under the age of three , we can live without the rest , but we do need diapers .
As we went on we noticed many of the shelves were empty .
Now it was personal .
All week I have received emails about cancellations and lists of precautions that businesses are taking .
Many reading this may already be self-quarantining or have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this doesn ’ t mean we have to be afraid .
The fear that the mainstream media have driven into our communities has incited panic .
Our grocery stores are becoming emptier by the day .
Churches , Bible studies , travel , events , major league sport seasons – everything is getting cancelled left and right .
And now , various governors in the United States are announcing a state of emergency and President Trump has declared a national emergency .
Things are getting real for all of us .
The implications @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stock market and our economy as a whole are frightening .
But through it all we must remember that God did not give us a spirit of fear and panic .
I hope you and your family are taking every necessary precaution to stay healthy .
But I hope you remember that God is bigger than any virus or economic crisis .
Our mission at LifeSiteNews continues amidst it all because we are fighting a battle much greater than any virus .
We are on the frontlines of a spiritual battle .
When @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and distract from the raging culture war , LifeSite reporters are still hard at work reporting the news on the issues affecting us , not just COVID-19 ( although unfortunately , this week we have had to write quite a bit about politicians using coronavirus fears to pressure churches to close and Catholic bishops around the world citing the coronavirus as they indefinitely suspend Mass and other sacraments ) .
Every day we face the reality of just how far the anti-life and anti-family agendas have gone .
This is why our mission @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an alternative to mainstream media is so crucial .
LifeSite exposes the lies the mainstream media want you to believe and gives you access to stories you never would have otherwise .
Our world needs an unbiased , reliable , and accurate news source – especially in times like these .
With the unprecedented number of readers coming to our site this year , it is clear that we are meeting this need .
Yet the distraction and fear sweeping across the globe are putting necessary funding of our mission in jeopardy .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ funding from our readers now more than ever .
No matter what , defending traditional values , defending unborn lives , and defending the real meaning of marriage remain crucial to the future of humanity .
Defending them now is as important as ever .
COVID-19 is very real , but our mission must continue .
I urge you to step out onto the frontlines with us in the culture battle and help us continue to take a stand .
We are in need of 300 of our most committed readers to give @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 200 readers to give a gift of $ 50 , to sustain our efforts to change the culture through news media year-round .
If you are able to generously support our mission with a financial gift today , please follow this link to donate : https : //give.lifesitenews.com .
Your support will spread truth , defeat lies , and save lives .
So , are you still with us on the frontlines ?

March 13, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – With news continuing to break about schools, churches, travel, and large gatherings cancelling and closing left and right, COVID-19 is impacting our lives at every turn, but it’s important that we understand everything that is at stake for LifeSiteNews.
The crisis that is ensuing due to the coronavirus in our communities, churches, schools, and economy is very real and it is affecting all of us in one way or another. My heart goes out to all those personally affected. We at LifeSiteNews are praying for everyone’s safety and recovery worldwide.
My husband and I were doing great at avoiding the panic, until we went to do our usual Costco run the other day. We walked in and there stood a large sign listing products that were being limited to two items per customer: toilet paper, diapers, wipes, rice, and the list went on.
We didn’t think much of it until we walked through the store and found the same sign in the back section where all the staple goods are stocked – and another sign announcing that they were out of toilet paper. When we went to the diaper aisle, diapers were close to being completely out. With two children under the age of three, we can live without the rest, but we do need diapers. As we went on we noticed many of the shelves were empty. Now it was personal.
All week I have received emails about cancellations and lists of precautions that businesses are taking. Many reading this may already be self-quarantining or have family members who are sick.
But this doesn’t mean we have to be afraid.
The fear that the mainstream media have driven into our communities has incited panic. Our grocery stores are becoming emptier by the day. Churches, Bible studies, travel, events, major league sport seasons – everything is getting cancelled left and right. And now, various governors in the United States are announcing a state of emergency and President Trump has declared a national emergency.
Things are getting real for all of us.
The implications of what this is doing to the stock market and our economy as a whole are frightening. But through it all we must remember that God did not give us a spirit of fear and panic.
I hope you and your family are taking every necessary precaution to stay healthy. But I hope you remember that God is bigger than any virus or economic crisis.
Our mission at LifeSiteNews continues amidst it all because we are fighting a battle much greater than any virus. We are on the frontlines of a spiritual battle. When the mainstream media want to instill fear and distract from the raging culture war, LifeSite reporters are still hard at work reporting the news on all the issues affecting us, not just COVID-19 (although unfortunately, this week we have had to write quite a bit about politicians using coronavirus fears to pressure churches to close and Catholic bishops around the world citing the coronavirus as they indefinitely suspend Mass and other sacraments).
Every day we face the reality of just how far the anti-life and anti-family agendas have gone. This is why our mission as a traditional news source that provides an alternative to mainstream media is so crucial. LifeSite exposes the lies the mainstream media want you to believe and gives you access to stories you never would have otherwise.
Our world needs an unbiased, reliable, and accurate news source – especially in times like these. With the unprecedented number of readers coming to our site this year, it is clear that we are meeting this need .
Yet the distraction and fear sweeping across the globe are putting necessary funding of our mission in jeopardy. This is why we need prayers and funding from our readers now more than ever.
No matter what, defending traditional values, defending unborn lives, and defending the real meaning of marriage remain crucial to the future of humanity. Defending them now is as important as ever.
COVID-19 is very real, but our mission must continue. I urge you to step out onto the frontlines with us in the culture battle and help us continue to take a stand.
We are in need of 300 of our most committed readers to give a gift of $100, and 200 readers to give a gift of $50, to sustain our efforts to change the culture through news media year-round.
If you are able to generously support our mission with a financial gift today, please follow this link to donate: https://give.lifesitenews.com.
Your support will spread truth, defeat lies, and save lives. So, are you still with us on the frontlines?
Share


lifesitenews--2020-03-13--Bioethicist who thinks people should die at 75 advising Biden on coronavirus

March 13 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — As Americans clamor for information about the Trump administration ’ s response to the coronavirus outbreak and what the president ’ s Democrat opponents would do differently , some are raising red flags over former vice president Joe Biden ’ s team of advisers on the subject , one of whom has a history of suggesting that the elderly would be better off dead .
On Wednesday , the Biden campaign announced the creation of a Public Health Advisory Committee , which will help the candidate “ minimize health risks for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ panel includes the University of Pennsylvania ’ s Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel , former Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy , former homeland security advisor Lisa Monaco , former Food & Drug Administration commissioner Dr. David Kessler , Georgetown University Medical Center ’ s Dr. Rebecca Katz , and Columbia University ’ s Dr. Irwin Redlener .
While several of the names were advisers to the Obama administration in crafting the intensely controversial Affordable Care Act ( better known as Obamacare ) , Emanuel ’ s inclusion on the list has raised concerns for an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrote that he “ hope [ s ] to die at 75 , ” because “ living too long ” renders people uncreative , unable to work , “ faltering and declining , ” and “ transforms how people experience us , relate to us , and , most important , remember us .
We are no longer remembered as vibrant and engaged but as feeble , ineffectual , even pathetic.
” Writing at National Review , Discovery Institute senior fellow Wesley Smith reviews the Atlantic essay in which Emanuel made these statements @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grave consequences if applied to older Americans , who are particularly at risk from coronavirus .
Emanuel wrote bluntly in 2014 that beyond age 75 , he would refuse not only cancer screenings and advanced life-saving treatment , but also flu shots and antibiotics — specifically because , in the event of a “ flu pandemic , ” a “ younger person who has yet to live a complete life ” should “ certainly ” be prioritized to receive “ the vaccine or any antiviral drugs.
” “ Is that the kind of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
” Smith asks .
Such a utilitarian approach to human life would be in keeping with the radical pro-abortion platform embraced by Biden , who is two years older than the cutoff point Emanuel endorsed in 2014 .
In 2011 , the then–vice president told a Chinese audience that he could “ fully understand ” and was “ not second-guessing ” the Chinese regime ’ s one-child policy .
Despite struggles early in the Democratic primary , Biden has recently returned to frontrunner status after lagging behind socialist Vermont senator Bernie Sanders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former competitors Pete Buttigieg , Amy Klobuchar , and Kamala Harris .

March 13, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — As Americans clamor for information about the Trump administration’s response to the coronavirus outbreak and what the president’s Democrat opponents would do differently, some are raising red flags over former vice president Joe Biden’s team of advisers on the subject, one of whom has a history of suggesting that the elderly would be better off dead.
On Wednesday, the Biden campaign announced the creation of a Public Health Advisory Committee, which will help the candidate “minimize health risks for the candidate, staff and supporters.” The panel includes the University of Pennsylvania’s Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel, former Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy, former homeland security advisor Lisa Monaco, former Food & Drug Administration commissioner Dr. David Kessler, Georgetown University Medical Center’s Dr. Rebecca Katz, and Columbia University’s Dr. Irwin Redlener.
While several of the names were advisers to the Obama administration in crafting the intensely controversial Affordable Care Act (better known as Obamacare), Emanuel’s inclusion on the list has raised concerns for an additional reason. In 2014, he wrote that he “hope[s] to die at 75,” because “living too long” renders people uncreative, unable to work, “faltering and declining,” and “transforms how people experience us, relate to us, and, most important, remember us. We are no longer remembered as vibrant and engaged but as feeble, ineffectual, even pathetic.”
Writing at National Review, Discovery Institute senior fellow Wesley Smith reviews the Atlantic essay in which Emanuel made these statements, finding that his example could have grave consequences if applied to older Americans, who are particularly at risk from coronavirus.
Emanuel wrote bluntly in 2014 that beyond age 75, he would refuse not only cancer screenings and advanced life-saving treatment, but also flu shots and antibiotics — specifically because, in the event of a “flu pandemic,” a “younger person who has yet to live a complete life” should “certainly” be prioritized to receive “the vaccine or any antiviral drugs.”
“Is that the kind of advice Emanuel is giving to Joe Biden?” Smith asks.
Such a utilitarian approach to human life would be in keeping with the radical pro-abortion platform embraced by Biden, who is two years older than the cutoff point Emanuel endorsed in 2014. In 2011, the then–vice president told a Chinese audience that he could “fully understand” and was “not second-guessing” the Chinese regime’s one-child policy.
Despite struggles early in the Democratic primary, Biden has recently returned to frontrunner status after lagging behind socialist Vermont senator Bernie Sanders, further aided by the endorsements of former competitors Pete Buttigieg, Amy Klobuchar, and Kamala Harris.
Share


lifesitenews--2020-03-13--Poland bishops pledge access to sacraments during coronavirus outbreak

March 13 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) ― The Polish bishops have guaranteed Catholics across the country caught in the coronavirus epidemic access to religious services and retreats , even if the retreats must be conducted online .
The Permanent Council of the Polish Bishops ’ Conference has made a number of recommendations to the bishops regarding precautionary measures , including freeing many people from their obligation to attend Sunday Mass , but has also stressed that the clergy will be available .
“ For two millennia the church has served the sick and needy , even in the times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proclamation of the Gospel or the celebration of the holy sacraments , ” their statement reads .
Masses will continue to be said in Polish churches , but the Permanent Council has recommended that diocesan bishops grant a temporary dispensation from the weekly Sunday obligation to a number of Catholics : the elderly , those showing signs of infection ( e.g .
those coughing , blowing their noses , and/or with fever ) , children , young people and the adults who look after them , and people who are frightened by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is only until March 29 .
“ Taking advantage of the dispensation means that absence from Sunday Mass at the indicated time is not a sin , ” the order continues .
“ At the same time , we encourage people taking the dispensation to persist in personal and family prayer .
We also encourage spiritual communion with the Church community through radio or television transmissions or the internet.
” he Polish bishops have taken a number of steps to limit the threat of the COVID-19 coronavirus from spreading through the faithful who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion must wash their hands before Mass , receiving Holy Communion in the hand is “ now encourage ( d ) , ” nodding must take the place of shaking hands as the Sign of Peace , and the kissing of the cross and relics of saints is now forbidden until March 29 .
In addition , protective screens will be put in confessionals and holy water will not be available from public stoups .
“ In the current situation we remind you that , ‘ just as hospitals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the churches serve , among other things , in treating illnesses of the soul , therefore it is unimaginable , that we would not pray in our churches ’ , ” it continued , quoting Archbishop Stanisław Gądecki , the leader of the Polish Bishops ’ Conference .
“ Therefore , we encourage all the faithful to visit churches beyond liturgies for zealous personal prayer.
” The Permanent Council recommended to priests that they keep churches open all day , provide extra opportunities to the faithful for confession and adoration of the Blessed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ― visit parishioners who are elderly or ill .
However , some ordinary Church activities have been postponed or suspended , including liturgies bestowing the sacrament of Confirmation , graduating class pilgrimages to the Jasna Góra Shrine of Our Lady of Częstochowa , and parish retreats for schools .
At the same time , however , the Permanent Council enjoined parish priests to offer retreats over the internet .
The wisdom of offering retreats for adults and other group activities is left to the discernment of the priests .
The Permanent Council also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care of the elderly and needy , “ for example , with help in grocery shopping , ” and to pray for protection against illness as well as “ peaceful hearts and the grace of a profound conversion for each of us.
” “ We commend to God all those who have died from the coronavirus , ” they continued .
“ We pray for health for the sick , those who care for them , doctors , medical personnel as well as everyone in the sanitary services .
We pray for an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the Tradition of the Church we encourage the singing in our church of the ( Trisagion ) supplication “ Holy God , Holy ( and ) Mighty … From air , hunger , fire and war , spare us , O Lord.
” The robust piety of the Polish bishops and their determination to fight the coronavirus pandemic through spiritual means is in marked contrast to the willingness of other bishops in Europe , the USA and French Canada to shut the churches and leave the faithful without recourse to personal attendance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Archbishop Gądecki , the leader of the Polish Bishops Conference , asked that more Sunday Masses than usual be said so that the congregations at each will be smaller .

Poland’s clergy will not withhold the Gospel or the sacraments from their flocks.
March 13, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) ― The Polish bishops have guaranteed Catholics across the country caught in the coronavirus epidemic access to religious services and retreats, even if the retreats must be conducted online.
The Permanent Council of the Polish Bishops’ Conference has made a number of recommendations to the bishops regarding precautionary measures, including freeing many people from their obligation to attend Sunday Mass, but has also stressed that the clergy will be available.
“For two millennia the church has served the sick and needy, even in the times of epidemic, without giving up the proclamation of the Gospel or the celebration of the holy sacraments,” their statement reads.
Masses will continue to be said in Polish churches, but the Permanent Council has recommended that diocesan bishops grant a temporary dispensation from the weekly Sunday obligation to a number of Catholics: the elderly, those showing signs of infection (e.g. those coughing, blowing their noses, and/or with fever), children, young people and the adults who look after them, and people who are frightened by the possibility of being infected. The dispensation is only until March 29.
“Taking advantage of the dispensation means that absence from Sunday Mass at the indicated time is not a sin,” the order continues.
“At the same time, we encourage people taking the dispensation to persist in personal and family prayer. We also encourage spiritual communion with the Church community through radio or television transmissions or the internet.”
The Polish bishops have taken a number of steps to limit the threat of the COVID-19 coronavirus from spreading through the faithful who will be attending Mass. Priests and extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion must wash their hands before Mass, receiving Holy Communion in the hand is “now encourage(d),” nodding must take the place of shaking hands as the Sign of Peace, and the kissing of the cross and relics of saints is now forbidden until March 29. In addition, protective screens will be put in confessionals and holy water will not be available from public stoups.
“In the current situation we remind you that, ‘just as hospitals treat illnesses of the body, so the churches serve, among other things, in treating illnesses of the soul, therefore it is unimaginable, that we would not pray in our churches’,” it continued, quoting Archbishop Stanisław Gądecki, the leader of the Polish Bishops’ Conference.
“Therefore, we encourage all the faithful to visit churches beyond liturgies for zealous personal prayer.”
The Permanent Council recommended to priests that they keep churches open all day, provide extra opportunities to the faithful for confession and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, and ― taking proper precautions ― visit parishioners who are elderly or ill.
However, some ordinary Church activities have been postponed or suspended, including liturgies bestowing the sacrament of Confirmation, graduating class pilgrimages to the Jasna Góra Shrine of Our Lady of Częstochowa, and parish retreats for schools. At the same time, however, the Permanent Council enjoined parish priests to offer retreats over the internet. The wisdom of offering retreats for adults and other group activities is left to the discernment of the priests.
The Permanent Council also enjoined the Catholic community to take special care of the elderly and needy, “for example, with help in grocery shopping,” and to pray for protection against illness as well as “peaceful hearts and the grace of a profound conversion for each of us.”
“We commend to God all those who have died from the coronavirus,” they continued.
“We pray for health for the sick, those who care for them, doctors, medical personnel as well as everyone in the sanitary services. We pray for an end to the epidemic. In accordance with the Tradition of the Church we encourage the singing in our church of the (Trisagion) supplication “Holy God, Holy (and) Mighty … From air, hunger, fire and war, spare us, O Lord.”
The robust piety of the Polish bishops and their determination to fight the coronavirus pandemic through spiritual means is in marked contrast to the willingness of other bishops in Europe, the USA and French Canada to shut the churches and leave the faithful without recourse to personal attendance at Mass. Earlier this week, Archbishop Gądecki, the leader of the Polish Bishops Conference, asked that more Sunday Masses than usual be said so that the congregations at each will be smaller.
Share


lifesitenews--2020-03-13--Facebook shuts down Christian page for warning homosexuality is a sin

March 13 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Katrima Smalley operated the “ Jesus Word Is True ” Facebook page for more than 11 years , accumulating more than 800,000 followers in the process .
But the Christian page has been shut down since last November on the grounds that its affirmation of Biblical teaching on homosexuality constitutes “ hate speech.
” According to screenshots provided by Smalley to LifeSiteNews , Facebook came down on her page for sharing an image of a sign that reads , `` Warning : drunks , homosexuals , adulterers , liars , fornicators , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Awaits You – Repent – Only Jesus Saves . ''
The sign is a restatement of the Bible ’ s warning in First Corinthians 6:9-10 that the “ unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
” In response , Facebook determined that the sign violated its “ standards on Hate Speech , ” and “ unpublished ” it entirely .
Smalley says she reached out to Facebook support more than 70 times , in addition to contacting the Better Business Bureau , with no success .
She noted that she also reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who repeatedly posted that the page was a “ cult , ” but only received a message back stating that the insult “ doesn ’ t go against one of our specific Community Standards ” and suggested that she simply block or unfollow the offender .
“ The Bible tells us to speak the truth in love in Ephesians 4:15 , ” Smalley tells LifeSiteNews .
“ We just stated what the Bible says .
The Bible is not hate , it is the truth ( ... ) We did not promote hate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” This is a recurring issue on Facebook .
The social media giant has been criticized for suppressing or otherwise discriminating against many right-of-center pages and posts , while multiple analyses have found that Facebook ’ s algorithm changes instituted at the beginning of 2018 disproportionately impacted conservative politicians and websites .
Last year , an insider revealed that Facebook “ deboosts ” traffic to several mainstream conservative sites .
Christian , pro-life and pro-family voices in particular have faced significant difficulties on Facebook , including LifeSiteNews , Save the Storks , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mommy ” Johnston , and the pro-life films Gosnell and Roe v. Wade : The Movie .

More than 70 attempts to contact the social media platform went unanswered after a sign was 'unpublished.'
March 13, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Katrima Smalley operated the “Jesus Word Is True” Facebook page for more than 11 years, accumulating more than 800,000 followers in the process. But the Christian page has been shut down since last November on the grounds that its affirmation of Biblical teaching on homosexuality constitutes “hate speech.”
According to screenshots provided by Smalley to LifeSiteNews, Facebook came down on her page for sharing an image of a sign that reads, “Warning: drunks, homosexuals, adulterers, liars, fornicators, thieves, atheists, idolaters — Hell Awaits You – Repent – Only Jesus Saves.” The sign is a restatement of the Bible’s warning in First Corinthians 6:9-10 that the “unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God.”
In response, Facebook determined that the sign violated its “standards on Hate Speech,” and “unpublished” it entirely. Smalley says she reached out to Facebook support more than 70 times, in addition to contacting the Better Business Bureau, with no success.
She noted that she also reported for “hate speech” an individual who repeatedly posted that the page was a “cult,” but only received a message back stating that the insult “doesn’t go against one of our specific Community Standards” and suggested that she simply block or unfollow the offender.
“The Bible tells us to speak the truth in love in Ephesians 4:15,” Smalley tells LifeSiteNews. “We just stated what the Bible says. The Bible is not hate, it is the truth (…) We did not promote hate of any sort or harm to anyone.”
This is a recurring issue on Facebook. The social media giant has been criticized for suppressing or otherwise discriminating against many right-of-center pages and posts, while multiple analyses have found that Facebook’s algorithm changes instituted at the beginning of 2018 disproportionately impacted conservative politicians and websites. Last year, an insider revealed that Facebook “deboosts” traffic to several mainstream conservative sites.
Christian, pro-life and pro-family voices in particular have faced significant difficulties on Facebook, including LifeSiteNews, Save the Storks, the American Pregnancy Association, Elizabeth “Activist Mommy” Johnston, and the pro-life films Gosnell and Roe v. Wade: The Movie.
Share