lifesitenews--2020-02-07--Pro-LGBT politician threatens conversion therapy practitioners: ‘We will come at you’

CALGARY , February 6 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — A Canadian сity сouncilor has threatened to “ bring teeth ” if anyone practices “ conversion therapy ” in his city after the City Council voted unanimously to ban the practice , which helps those wanting to overcome unwanted same-sex attraction .
The City of Calgary ’ s Coun .
Evan Woolley said the city will go after those who offer “ conversion therapy , ” saying , “ We will bring teeth ” and adding , “ If you are practicing this in our city , we will come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ve got.
” The Calgary City Council passed a motion ( see page 801 ) titled “ Banning Conversion Therapy ” at a council meeting on Monday .
The motion was first brought to Calgary City Council in mid-January , when the Council ’ s Priorities and Finance Committee unanimously voted in favor of proceeding with the motion .
The ban means that organizations that offer any type of “ conversion therapy ” could face steep fines .
A bylaw is now being drafted to impose fines on anyone who offers or advertises @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The motion includes a request to the Canadian federal and provincial governments to put similar laws in place .
Critics say the move comes with potential consequences to the religious freedom of various groups whose faith teaches them that homosexuality is a disorder .
There was a small counter-protest against the motion at Calgary City Hall from members of Journey Canada .
They said that while they are not outright opposed to the ban , the new bylaw ’ s wording should avoid language that could “ infringe on religious freedoms.
” The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discussed later in the year at a council committee meeting .
Journey Canada believes that marriage is between a man and a women , as said here on the group ’ s website : “ To receive the gift of sex in a way that is most life-giving and joyful , it is reserved for marriage , which is undertaken by one man and one woman together as a life-long journey toward greater intimacy , mutual spiritual maturity , and self-giving love.
” Canada ’ s pro-life , pro-family organization Campaign Life Coalition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are a disservice to those with unwanted same-sex attraction who want legitimate help and that they also constitute a direct attack on religious freedom .
Calgary ’ s ban mimics what prime minister of Canada Justin Trudeau is hoping to achieve Canada-wide .
He fully supports independent Senator Serge Joyal ’ s Bill S-202 .
This bill would make it an indictable offense , punishable by up to five years in jail , should anyone benefit materially or financially , directly or indirectly , from the provision of “ conversion therapy ” for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Calgary joins other Alberta cities — Edmonton , St. Albert , Sherwood Park , and Fort McMurray — in banning “ conversion therapy.
” The southern Alberta city of Medicine Hat is also looking at a “ conversion ban ” of its own ; however , there does not seem to be a consensus among its councilors .
Medicine Hat councilor Jim Turner was quoted as saying , “ I honestly don ’ t think it ’ s a city issue .
I think it ’ s better left to the province or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ question of how do you enforce it.
” Another Medicine Hat city councilor , Kris Samraj , said he feels that more study is required and that he is against banning faith-based counseling : “ I don ’ t condone it , but it would really depend on the details.
” “ If an adult wants faith-based counseling , I ’ m not in a position to tell them what to do.
” Alberta justice minister Doug Schweitzer promised in August of 2019 that his United Conservative Party government is against the practice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Canadian federal government under pro-abortion prime minister Justin Trudeau to help come up with ways to ban it .
Until the Canadian federal government and Alberta provincial government officially pass such laws as a Criminal Code offense , which looks likely , there is not much leverage a city government can rely on in terms of full enforcement .
Even Coun .
Woolley admitted that the “ conversion therapy ” ban is largely symbolic .
Office of the Mayor , The City of Calgary P.O .
Box 2100 , Station M Calgary @ @ @ @ @

CALGARY, February 6, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — A Canadian сity сouncilor has threatened to “bring teeth” if anyone practices “conversion therapy” in his city after the City Council voted unanimously to ban the practice, which helps those wanting to overcome unwanted same-sex attraction.
The City of Calgary’s Coun. Evan Woolley said the city will go after those who offer “conversion therapy,” saying, “We will bring teeth” and adding, “If you are practicing this in our city, we will come at you with everything that we’ve got.”
The Calgary City Council passed a motion (see page 801) titled “Banning Conversion Therapy” at a council meeting on Monday. The motion was first brought to Calgary City Council in mid-January, when the Council’s Priorities and Finance Committee unanimously voted in favor of proceeding with the motion. The ban means that organizations that offer any type of “conversion therapy” could face steep fines.
A bylaw is now being drafted to impose fines on anyone who offers or advertises any type of “conversion therapy.” The motion includes a request to the Canadian federal and provincial governments to put similar laws in place.
Critics say the move comes with potential consequences to the religious freedom of various groups whose faith teaches them that homosexuality is a disorder.
There was a small counter-protest against the motion at Calgary City Hall from members of Journey Canada. They said that while they are not outright opposed to the ban, the new bylaw’s wording should avoid language that could “infringe on religious freedoms.” The bylaw’s exact language will be discussed later in the year at a council committee meeting.
Journey Canada believes that marriage is between a man and a women, as said here on the group’s website: “To receive the gift of sex in a way that is most life-giving and joyful, it is reserved for marriage, which is undertaken by one man and one woman together as a life-long journey toward greater intimacy, mutual spiritual maturity, and self-giving love.”
Canada’s pro-life, pro-family organization Campaign Life Coalition holds that “conversion therapy” bans are a disservice to those with unwanted same-sex attraction who want legitimate help and that they also constitute a direct attack on religious freedom.
Calgary’s ban mimics what prime minister of Canada Justin Trudeau is hoping to achieve Canada-wide. He fully supports independent Senator Serge Joyal’s Bill S-202. This bill would make it an indictable offense, punishable by up to five years in jail, should anyone benefit materially or financially, directly or indirectly, from the provision of “conversion therapy” for anyone under 18 years of age.
Calgary joins other Alberta cities — Edmonton, St. Albert, Sherwood Park, and Fort McMurray — in banning “conversion therapy.” The southern Alberta city of Medicine Hat is also looking at a “conversion ban” of its own; however, there does not seem to be a consensus among its councilors.
Medicine Hat councilor Jim Turner was quoted as saying, “I honestly don’t think it’s a city issue. I think it’s better left to the province or federal government. It’s a question of how do you enforce it.”
Another Medicine Hat city councilor, Kris Samraj, said he feels that more study is required and that he is against banning faith-based counseling: “I don’t condone it, but it would really depend on the details.”
“If an adult wants faith-based counseling, I’m not in a position to tell them what to do.”
Alberta justice minister Doug Schweitzer promised in August of 2019 that his United Conservative Party government is against the practice. He said he will work with the Canadian federal government under pro-abortion prime minister Justin Trudeau to help come up with ways to ban it.
Until the Canadian federal government and Alberta provincial government officially pass such laws as a Criminal Code offense, which looks likely, there is not much leverage a city government can rely on in terms of full enforcement.
Even Coun. Woolley admitted that the “conversion therapy” ban is largely symbolic.
To respectfully express your concerns, contact:
Mayor Naheed Nenshi
Office of the Mayor, The City of Calgary
P.O. Box 2100, Station M
Calgary, AB, T2P 2M5
Phone 403-268-5622
https://www.calgary.ca/citycouncil/mayor/Pages/contact.aspx
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lifesitenews--2020-02-06--Gay Scottish politician who backed pro-LGBT school programs caught grooming 16-year-old online

EDINBURGH , Scotland , February 6 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) ― Scotland ’ s Finance Secretary , a firm supporter of LGBT education for schools , stepped down in the wake of allegations that he attempted to groom a 16-year-old boy over the internet .
Police are asking the public to come forward with any information pertaining to the scandal .
Derek MacKay , 42 , was considered a possible successor to Scotland ’ s First Minister , Nicola Sturgeon .
He has now been suspended from the ruling Scottish National Party , and his political future is uncertain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appeared in the Scottish Sun this morning , carrying transcripts of MacKay ’ s texted conversations with the teenager over Facebook and Instagram .
The then-Finance Secretary contacted the young man several times between August 2019 and February 1 , 2020 .
In his most blatant messages , the politician complimented the boy ’ s haircut and said , “ To be honest , I think you are really cute.
” The texts make it clear that MacKay knew the boy was only 16 , that the boy knew MacKay was a powerful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not reciprocate the Finance Secretary ’ s interest .
There were multiple days in which McKay ’ s invitations to chat went unanswered .
In September , MacKay asked the boy if he followed Scottish rugby games , and when the boy said he did , MacKay suggested that they go to one together .
He may have disclosed to the boy that he was homosexual .
The boy told the Sun that McKay erased that message , but the newspaper published the boy ’ s reply , which was “ As long @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I don ’ t mind u being gay.
” Subsequently , MacKay continued to try to engage the boy ’ s interest with chat about rugby and suggested that the boy come along to a reception for rugby players in Scottish parliament .
He eventually complimented the boy on his haircut .
In a statement today , the disgraced politician said , `` I take full responsibility for my actions .
I have behaved foolishly and I am truly sorry.
” '' I apologise unreservedly to the individual involved and his family .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Minister and tendered my resignation with immediate effect.
” In 2013 , MacKay separated from his wife and announced that he was homosexual .
He is also a supporter of the Time for Inclusive Education ( TIE ) initiative for Scottish schools .
The TIE program is meant to include LGBT ideology throughout school curricula .
Richard Lucas , the leader of the pro-life Scottish Family Party , told LifeSiteNews that MacKay ’ s support for TIE and behavior may be linked .
“ It ’ s yet another example of someone who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it turns out that their personal values are less than positive , ” he said .
The timing of the revelations is particularly bad for the Scottish National Party .
MacKay was supposed to deliver Scotland ’ s budget today , a major event on the parliamentary calendar .
Also , the SNP ’ s former leader , and Scotland ’ s former First Minister , Alec Salmond will be tried on sexual assault charges in March .
Scotland ’ s interim Conservative leader , Jackson Carlaw , demanded that MacKay step down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ MSP ) for Renfrewshire North and West and read the definition of “ grooming.
” He asked First Minister Sturgeon what assurances there were that this is the “ only example ” of MacKay ’ s “ unacceptable behavior .
”

Finance Secretary Derek MacKay stepped down after his conversations with the teen were disclosed.
EDINBURGH, Scotland, February 6, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) ― Scotland’s Finance Secretary, a firm supporter of LGBT education for schools, stepped down in the wake of allegations that he attempted to groom a 16-year-old boy over the internet.
Police are asking the public to come forward with any information pertaining to the scandal.
Derek MacKay, 42, was considered a possible successor to Scotland’s First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon. He has now been suspended from the ruling Scottish National Party, and his political future is uncertain.
A story about the Finance Secretary appeared in the Scottish Sun this morning, carrying transcripts of MacKay’s texted conversations with the teenager over Facebook and Instagram. The then-Finance Secretary contacted the young man several times between August 2019 and February 1, 2020.
In his most blatant messages, the politician complimented the boy’s haircut and said, “To be honest, I think you are really cute.”
The texts make it clear that MacKay knew the boy was only 16, that the boy knew MacKay was a powerful politician, and that the boy did not reciprocate the Finance Secretary’s interest. There were multiple days in which McKay’s invitations to chat went unanswered.
In September, MacKay asked the boy if he followed Scottish rugby games, and when the boy said he did, MacKay suggested that they go to one together. He may have disclosed to the boy that he was homosexual. The boy told the Sun that McKay erased that message, but the newspaper published the boy’s reply, which was “As long as your not trying anything with me I don’t mind u being gay.”
Subsequently, MacKay continued to try to engage the boy’s interest with chat about rugby and suggested that the boy come along to a reception for rugby players in Scottish parliament. He eventually complimented the boy on his haircut.
In a statement today, the disgraced politician said, “I take full responsibility for my actions. I have behaved foolishly and I am truly sorry.”
“I apologise unreservedly to the individual involved and his family. I spoke last night to the First Minister and tendered my resignation with immediate effect.”
In 2013, MacKay separated from his wife and announced that he was homosexual. He is also a supporter of the Time for Inclusive Education (TIE) initiative for Scottish schools. The TIE program is meant to include LGBT ideology throughout school curricula.
Richard Lucas, the leader of the pro-life Scottish Family Party, told LifeSiteNews that MacKay’s support for TIE and behavior may be linked.
“It’s yet another example of someone who is influencing education in Scotland, and it turns out that their personal values are less than positive,” he said.
The timing of the revelations is particularly bad for the Scottish National Party. MacKay was supposed to deliver Scotland’s budget today, a major event on the parliamentary calendar. Also, the SNP’s former leader, and Scotland’s former First Minister, Alex Salmond will be tried on sexual assault charges in March.
Scotland’s interim Conservative leader, Jackson Carlaw, demanded that MacKay step down as the Member of Scottish Parliament (MSP) for Renfrewshire North and West and read the definition of “grooming.” He asked First Minister Sturgeon what assurances there were that this is the “only example” of MacKay’s “unacceptable behavior.”
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lifesitenews--2020-02-06--Amazon, Nike, Dell threaten Tennessee over law protecting religious adoption orgs

February 6 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – A coalition of major American businesses have lent their names to a letter denouncing Tennessee ’ s newly-enacted law protecting the right of adoption agencies to place children only in homes with both a mother and a father , warning of economic repercussions if lawmakers continue to put religious liberty above the LGBT agenda .
Republican Gov .
Bill Lee recently signed into law HB 836 , which would ensure that licensed adoption agencies can not be forced to make child placement decisions that `` violate the agency 's written religious or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can not be sued , denied public funds , or be rejected for license applications on the basis of such a decision .
A variety of social science literature supports the conviction that children are best served by homes with both a mother and a father , yet a coalition of companies calling itself Tennessee Businesses Against Discrimination have spoken out against HB 836 and upcoming similar laws , CNBC reported .
Among the signatories are Amazon , American Airlines , Dell , Lyft , Marriott , Nike , and more than 100 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ initiative was organized by the Nashville LGBT Chamber of Commerce along with pro-LGBT groups GLAAD , Human Rights Campaign , and Freedom for All Americans .
“ We believe Tennessee ’ s continued growth and innovation rely on the state being open and welcoming to everyone , ” the coalition ’ s letter stated .
The recent passage of HB 836 sends the opposite message … Policies that signal that the state is not welcoming to everyone put our collective economic success at risk.
” “ We ask that lawmakers not pursue any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ LGBTQ people , which would do harm to Tennesseans and create unnecessary hurdles to economic competitiveness , ” the letter implored .
The adoption measure is one of six bills state lawmakers introduced last year to protect religious liberty and conscience rights against the LGBT agenda , which national figures including singer Taylor Swift have attacked as a “ slate of hate.
” The other bills forbid local governments from penalizing businesses for their health insurance and anti-discrimination policies ; increase punishment for indecent exposure in bathrooms and dressing rooms ; require the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their refusal to admit gender-confused boys into girls ’ restrooms ( and vice versa ) ; and declare as “ void ” any court decision forcing recognition of same-sex “ marriage.
” So far , Gov .
Lee has not let such pressure change his stance .
“ I think equality is important and protection of rights is important and the rights of religious liberty are important , ” he said in a recent interview .
“ And that bill was centered around protection of religious liberty , and that ’ s why @ @ @ @ @

Pro-LGBT organizations object to giving agencies the right to make decisions according to their convictions.
February 6, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – A coalition of major American businesses have lent their names to a letter denouncing Tennessee’s newly-enacted law protecting the right of adoption agencies to place children only in homes with both a mother and a father, warning of economic repercussions if lawmakers continue to put religious liberty above the LGBT agenda.
Republican Gov. Bill Lee recently signed into law HB 836, which would ensure that licensed adoption agencies cannot be forced to make child placement decisions that “violate the agency's written religious or moral convictions or policies,” and cannot be sued, denied public funds, or be rejected for license applications on the basis of such a decision.
A variety of social science literature supports the conviction that children are best served by homes with both a mother and a father, yet a coalition of companies calling itself Tennessee Businesses Against Discrimination have spoken out against HB 836 and upcoming similar laws, CNBC reported. Among the signatories are Amazon, American Airlines, Dell, Lyft, Marriott, Nike, and more than 100 small businesses within the state.
The initiative was organized by the Nashville LGBT Chamber of Commerce along with pro-LGBT groups GLAAD, Human Rights Campaign, and Freedom for All Americans.
“We believe Tennessee’s continued growth and innovation rely on the state being open and welcoming to everyone,” the coalition’s letter stated. The recent passage of HB 836 sends the opposite message … Policies that signal that the state is not welcoming to everyone put our collective economic success at risk.”
“We ask that lawmakers not pursue any further legislation that would target or exclude LGBTQ people, which would do harm to Tennesseans and create unnecessary hurdles to economic competitiveness,” the letter implored.
The adoption measure is one of six bills state lawmakers introduced last year to protect religious liberty and conscience rights against the LGBT agenda, which national figures including singer Taylor Swift have attacked as a “slate of hate.”
The other bills forbid local governments from penalizing businesses for their health insurance and anti-discrimination policies; increase punishment for indecent exposure in bathrooms and dressing rooms; require the state to defend schools from lawsuits over their refusal to admit gender-confused boys into girls’ restrooms (and vice versa); and declare as “void” any court decision forcing recognition of same-sex “marriage.”
So far, Gov. Lee has not let such pressure change his stance.
“I think equality is important and protection of rights is important and the rights of religious liberty are important,” he said in a recent interview. “And that bill was centered around protection of religious liberty, and that’s why I signed it.”
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lifesitenews--2020-02-07--Man who threw Pachamama in Tiber fires back after prof says he ‘damaged’ Catholicism

VIENNA , Austria , February 7 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Alexander Tschugguel , the young Austrian founder of the Saint Boniface Institute who threw the Amazon Synod ’ s Pachamama idols in the Tiber river last October , has fired back after a professor of dogmatic theology accused him of falling behind the Second Vatican Council .
“ I ’ m convinced that Christ ’ s saying will always be true , ‘ No one comes to the Father except through me , ’ ” Tschugguel said .
In the fall of 2019 , Tschugguel threw a number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tiber in Rome after they had been prominently featured in a church for days .
Similar statues had also been used in a religious ceremony in the Vatican gardens .
In the aftermath of the Acies Ordinata event in Munich in January , Jan-Heiner Tück , professor of dogmatic theology at the University of Vienna , had spoken of “ a constricted view of Catholicism.
” The event was attended , among others , by Alexander Tschugguel and Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò , in a prayerful protest against the Synodal Path of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Austrian Catholic news agency Kathpress : “ The vastness of Catholicism is narrowed , even damaged , when it is defended in the manner of Maccabees and statements of Scripture are misunderstood as instructions for action in the way of biblicism.
” According to Kathpress , the theology professor argued that through their intolerance and contempt for that which is other , activists like Tschugguel damage the truth they claim to serve .
That way , Tück explained , they fall back behind the Second Vatican Council .
In Tück ’ s understanding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1962 until 1965 , “ overcame an exclusivism which sees in the Catholic Church the only true religion and rejects all other religious convictions as false.
” Talking to faithful Catholic news website kath.net , Tschugguel reacted : “ It is no secret that many people today believe that without the Church , specifically without baptism , one can also go to heaven .
I am convinced that Christ ’ s saying will always be true , ‘ No one comes to the Father except through me.
’ ” While Tück sees a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” which denies itself and praises the other , he maintains the Second Vatican Council has an appreciative attitude towards other cultures and traditions .
Instances of “ the true , the good , and the sacred ” can also be found “ in non-Christian religions and cultures , ” Tück said .
He did not explain further how this relates to the Pachamama statues featured in a Catholic church as well as during various religious ceremonies in the Vatican in which Pope Francis attended .
Tück accused Tschugguel of not seeing “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that has burdened the missionary history of the Church until today .
Contempt for ‘ pagan ’ cultures in the name of Christian truth has repeatedly unleashed iconoclastic practices.
” The professor of dogmatic theology did not clarify in his conversation with Kathpress how this relates to Tschugguel removing the Pachamama statues from a church .
Tschugguel said that as Catholics , “ we are called to proclaim the gospel to all nations and to baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ correspond to this mission and is contrary to the First Commandment .
To pit the pre-conciliar and the post-conciliar Church against each other in this way is , in my opinion , deceitful , ” he said .
Tschugguel told LifeSiteNews ’ John-Henry Westen in a recent interview that “ for me , it was really bad , because I saw in those statues and in those idols [ … ] a break of the First Commandment.
” He added that he was motivated simply by the desire to “ bring pagan things @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the interview , he also gave young Catholics the advice to attend the local traditional Catholic church , pray “ tons ” of rosaries , and study the faith in order to defend it in public .
He also recommended they go to their families , friends , nearby pro-life groups , and make their voices heard .
Tschugguel excaimed , if something “ is not Catholic , speak up !
[ … ] We are part of the battle between the kingdom of God and the reign of the devil .
”

Alexander Tschugguel said he remains “convinced that Christ’s saying will always be true, ‘No one comes to the Father except through me.’”
VIENNA, Austria, February 7, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Alexander Tschugguel, the young Austrian founder of the Saint Boniface Institute who threw the Amazon Synod’s Pachamama idols in the Tiber river last October, has fired back after a professor of dogmatic theology accused him of falling behind the Second Vatican Council.
“I’m convinced that Christ’s saying will always be true, ‘No one comes to the Father except through me,’” Tschugguel said.
In the fall of 2019, Tschugguel threw a number of the controversial Pachamama statues into the Tiber in Rome after they had been prominently featured in a church for days. Similar statues had also been used in a religious ceremony in the Vatican gardens.
In the aftermath of the Acies Ordinata event in Munich in January, Jan-Heiner Tück, professor of dogmatic theology at the University of Vienna, had spoken of “a constricted view of Catholicism.” The event was attended, among others, by Alexander Tschugguel and Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò, in a prayerful protest against the Synodal Path of the Catholic Church in Germany.
Tück told Austrian Catholic news agency Kathpress: “The vastness of Catholicism is narrowed, even damaged, when it is defended in the manner of Maccabees and statements of Scripture are misunderstood as instructions for action in the way of biblicism.”
According to Kathpress, the theology professor argued that through their intolerance and contempt for that which is other, activists like Tschugguel damage the truth they claim to serve. That way, Tück explained, they fall back behind the Second Vatican Council.
In Tück’s understanding, the council which took place from 1962 until 1965, “overcame an exclusivism which sees in the Catholic Church the only true religion and rejects all other religious convictions as false.”
Talking to faithful Catholic news website kath.net, Tschugguel reacted: “It is no secret that many people today believe that without the Church, specifically without baptism, one can also go to heaven. I am convinced that Christ’s saying will always be true, ‘No one comes to the Father except through me.’”
While Tück sees a problem with a “theology of inculturation” which denies itself and praises the other, he maintains the Second Vatican Council has an appreciative attitude towards other cultures and traditions.
Instances of “the true, the good, and the sacred” can also be found “in non-Christian religions and cultures,” Tück said. He did not explain further how this relates to the Pachamama statues featured in a Catholic church as well as during various religious ceremonies in the Vatican in which Pope Francis attended.
Tück accused Tschugguel of not seeing “that he is continuing precisely the tradition that has burdened the missionary history of the Church until today. Contempt for ‘pagan’ cultures in the name of Christian truth has repeatedly unleashed iconoclastic practices.”
The professor of dogmatic theology did not clarify in his conversation with Kathpress how this relates to Tschugguel removing the Pachamama statues from a church.
Tschugguel said that as Catholics, “we are called to proclaim the gospel to all nations and to baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
“To worship pagan idols does not correspond to this mission and is contrary to the First Commandment. To pit the pre-conciliar and the post-conciliar Church against each other in this way is, in my opinion, deceitful,” he said.
Tschugguel told LifeSiteNews’ John-Henry Westen in a recent interview that “for me, it was really bad, because I saw in those statues and in those idols […] a break of the First Commandment.” He added that he was motivated simply by the desire to “bring pagan things out of a Catholic church.”
In the interview, he also gave young Catholics the advice to attend the local traditional Catholic church, pray “tons” of rosaries, and study the faith in order to defend it in public. He also recommended they go to their families, friends, nearby pro-life groups, and make their voices heard. Tschugguel excaimed, if something “is not Catholic, speak up! […] We are part of the battle between the kingdom of God and the reign of the devil.”
Share


lifesitenews--2020-02-07--Conservative scholar: America must have religious awakening if it is to survive

February 7 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — Conservative scholar Charles Murray is not optimistic about the future of the United States .
In an interview with Canadian pro-life activist Jonathon van Maren , Murray , famous for his many books on culture and politics , said the American experiment in constitutional government is “ dead as a doornail ” and that without a religious awakening , the United States may last only a few more decades .
“ I think America is showing what post-America looks like , ” Murray said .
“ People who call themselves conservatives ... @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” “ You can not have a free society , a society that allows lots of individual autonomy without some outside force that leads people to control the self , ” he said .
“ The American way of life ” is now “ meaningless.
” America today is “ just another rich , powerful country.
” Murray believes that while President Trump has accomplished many good things while in office , the country has failed to live up to the Founders ’ belief that character counts .
“ What was at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the character of the American people — was what in the eyes the founders made the experiment possible.
” Murray explains that the loss of character and religion is “ like the old cartoon where the coyote is chasing the roadrunner and runs off the edge of the cliff and continues running without a problem for a while and then suddenly realizes where he is .
He goes crashing to the ground .
We have run off the edge of the cliff , and we ’ re still running great .
It ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Despite his pessimism , Murray believes that “ if you have a resurgence of what used to be known in the United States as a religious great awakening , ” then that can “ change the behavior of the population in very positive ways [ . ]
… [ I ] f you have a new upper class that joins in a resurgence of the Judeo-Christian traditions in the United States , that ’ s going to be great.
” But Murray does not hold out much hope for that happening .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ likely to happen in Europe .
“ I can not believe that the secularization of society is going to continue indefinitely .
We have never had an advanced culture , in the history of the world , that is nearly as secular as contemporary Europe .
And I would say that is the test case.
” “ Europe is going to degenerate , ” he contined .
“ The increasing Muslim minorities in those countries are probably going to accelerate the exposure of the degeneracy.
” When pressed for advice on what ordinary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Murray answered that they should move to small towns and live “ the traditional American way of life ” and get involved in their communities .
Ultimately , though , he beleives that what America needs is “ the emergence of a charismatic person who is devoted to the original American founding who is going to attract political support in the way that Ronald Reagan did.
” That person will hopefully be able to restore some of the character and institutions of the United States , he said .
The Van Maren @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including Spotify , SoundCloud , YouTube , iTunes , and Google Play .
For a full listing of episodes , and to subscribe to various channels , visit our Pippa webpage here .
To receive weekly emails when a new episode is uploaded , click here .

February 7, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — Conservative scholar Charles Murray is not optimistic about the future of the United States.
In an interview with Canadian pro-life activist Jonathon van Maren, Murray, famous for his many books on culture and politics, said the American experiment in constitutional government is “dead as a doornail” and that without a religious awakening, the United States may last only a few more decades.
“I think America is showing what post-America looks like,” Murray said. “People who call themselves conservatives … believe things that would horrify the Founders.”
“You cannot have a free society, a society that allows lots of individual autonomy without some outside force that leads people to control the self,” he said.
“The American way of life” is now “meaningless.” America today is “just another rich, powerful country.”
Murray believes that while President Trump has accomplished many good things while in office, the country has failed to live up to the Founders’ belief that character counts.
“What was at the very core of the American founding — the character of the American people — was what in the eyes the founders made the experiment possible.”
Murray explains that the loss of character and religion is “like the old cartoon where the coyote is chasing the roadrunner and runs off the edge of the cliff and continues running without a problem for a while and then suddenly realizes where he is. He goes crashing to the ground. We have run off the edge of the cliff, and we’re still running great. It’s not going to last very long.”
Despite his pessimism, Murray believes that “if you have a resurgence of what used to be known in the United States as a religious great awakening,” then that can “change the behavior of the population in very positive ways[.] … [I]f you have a new upper class that joins in a resurgence of the Judeo-Christian traditions in the United States, that’s going to be great.”
But Murray does not hold out much hope for that happening. Nor does he think it’s likely to happen in Europe.
“I cannot believe that the secularization of society is going to continue indefinitely. We have never had an advanced culture, in the history of the world, that is nearly as secular as contemporary Europe. And I would say that is the test case.”
“Europe is going to degenerate,” he contined. “The increasing Muslim minorities in those countries are probably going to accelerate the exposure of the degeneracy.”
When pressed for advice on what ordinary Americans should be doing in these times, Murray answered that they should move to small towns and live “the traditional American way of life” and get involved in their communities.
Ultimately, though, he beleives that what America needs is “the emergence of a charismatic person who is devoted to the original American founding who is going to attract political support in the way that Ronald Reagan did.”
That person will hopefully be able to restore some of the character and institutions of the United States, he said.
The Van Maren Show is hosted on numerous platforms, including Spotify, SoundCloud, YouTube, iTunes, and Google Play.
For a full listing of episodes, and to subscribe to various channels, visit our Pippa webpage here.
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lifesitenews--2020-02-07--Girl sues school district: Not being allowed to use boys’ bathroom worsened my kidney disease

SHELBY , North Carolina , February 7 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – A high school student is suing her school district , claiming that not being allowed to use the boys ’ restrooms aggravated her kidney disease .
The court has temporarily required the school to let the female student use the boys ’ restroom .
As reported by local newspaper Shelby Star , the female student claims to be a boy .
To protect the identity of the transgender student , she is only known as “ John Doe.
” The lawsuit was filed on Tuesday and is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Carolina , as well as superintendent Stephen Fisher and principal Julie Rikard of Kings Mountain High School .
According to court documents looked into by the Shelby Star , “ John Doe ” is currently a senior at Kings Mountain High School .
Before her freshman year , the student began “ transitioning ” to try to be a boy .
The school was informed that “ John Doe ” claimed to be male .
According to the lawsuit , Rikard said she should use the girls ’ restroom only , which the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Doe ” said in a sworn statement , “ Because I am a boy I could not use the girls ’ restroom comfortably and ended up avoiding the restroom for the entirety of the year.
” In the few instances the gender-confused student had an emergency , girls at the school would laugh at her “ because they knew I was trans and made fun of me for having to use the girls ’ restroom , ” she claims , according to the Shelby Star .
“ John Doe ” began testosterone treatments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ point , the Shelby Star reports , the student was told to use the separate restroom meant for teachers .
“ John Doe ” said , according to the local newspaper , that the restroom was far from her classroom and she would “ get ‘ looks ’ from teachers when using it.
” Still , she refused to use the restroom , unless there was an emergency .
Her doctors say that decision “ may have worsened ” a kidney disease she has had since birth .
The Shelby Star quotes Deanna @ @ @ @ @ @ @ professor of pediatrics at Duke Department of Pediatrics , from the court documents : “ In addition to the escalation ” in her “ anxiety and distress that has resulted from Kings Mountain High School ’ s refusal to let ‘ John ’ access the restroom on equal terms ” with biological boys , her kidney function “ has also been compromised as a result ” of her lack of access “ to appropriate restroom facilities.
” On the website of the Duke Department of Pediatrics , the doctor states she cares for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , for instance “ disorders of sexual development , including transgender.
” “ Sexual development , pubertal disorders , and gender disorders are a special interest of mine , ” Adkins says on her bio .
She has been in contact with “ John Doe ” since 2017 .
Both Adkins and another doctor had recommended to Kings Mountain High School that they allow “ John Doe ” to use the boys ’ restroom closest to her classroom .
The Shelby Star explained , “ Superintendent Stephen Fisher said the district takes student @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case-by-case basis and tries to come up with individualized plans to meet their needs .
He would not say if the district has made similar accommodations for other students in Doe ’ s position in the past.
” Shearra Miller , chairwoman of the school board , said , “ We made an accommodation for the student that we felt was in the best interest of the student at the time.
” North Carolina was in the news in 2016 for its “ Public Facilities Privacy & Security Act , ” commonly known @ @ @ @ @ @ @ delivered a definition of biological sex , namely “ The physical condition of being male or female , which is stated on a person ’ s birth certificate.
” Based on that definition , “ Local boards of education shall require every multiple occupancy bathroom or changing facility that is designated for student use to be designated for and used only by students based on their biological sex.
” While the law allowed for accommodations , those stopped short of allowing a girl to use a multiple occupancy restroom designated for boys .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ outcry from the left was enormous .
Various companies decided to stop expansion in North Carolina , including PayPal and Deutsche Bank .
Within a month , it was estimated that this protest had cost North Carolina “ more than 1750 jobs and more than $ 77 million ” in investments .
Even sports organizations protested the new law .
The NBA relocated the 2017 All-Star Game to New Orleans , Louisiana .
Previously , it was scheduled to take place in Charlotte , North Carolina .
With the NCAA putting pressure on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no championship games would be hosted in the state until at least 2022 , the law was partially repealed .
That partial repeal was confirmed by a U.S. court settlement in 2019 .
Reuters summarized at the time , “ Transgender people in North Carolina can use any public restroom in state-run buildings that conforms with their gender identity .
”

'Because I am a boy I could not use the girls’ restroom comfortably and ended up avoiding the restroom for the entirety of the year,' the female student said in a sworn statement.
SHELBY, North Carolina, February 7, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – A high school student is suing her school district, claiming that not being allowed to use the boys’ restrooms aggravated her kidney disease.
The court has temporarily required the school to let the female student use the boys’ restroom.
As reported by local newspaper Shelby Star, the female student claims to be a boy. To protect the identity of the transgender student, she is only known as “John Doe.”
The lawsuit was filed on Tuesday and is brought against Cleveland County Schools in North Carolina, as well as superintendent Stephen Fisher and principal Julie Rikard of Kings Mountain High School.
According to court documents looked into by the Shelby Star, “John Doe” is currently a senior at Kings Mountain High School. Before her freshman year, the student began “transitioning” to try to be a boy. The school was informed that “John Doe” claimed to be male. According to the lawsuit, Rikard said she should use the girls’ restroom only, which the suit claims is discrimination.
“John Doe” said in a sworn statement, “Because I am a boy I could not use the girls’ restroom comfortably and ended up avoiding the restroom for the entirety of the year.”
In the few instances the gender-confused student had an emergency, girls at the school would laugh at her “because they knew I was trans and made fun of me for having to use the girls’ restroom,” she claims, according to the Shelby Star.
“John Doe” began testosterone treatments during her sophomore year. At that point, the Shelby Star reports, the student was told to use the separate restroom meant for teachers.
“John Doe” said, according to the local newspaper, that the restroom was far from her classroom and she would “get ‘looks’ from teachers when using it.”
Still, she refused to use the restroom, unless there was an emergency. Her doctors say that decision “may have worsened” a kidney disease she has had since birth.
The Shelby Star quotes Deanna Wilson Adkins, MD, an assistant professor of pediatrics at Duke Department of Pediatrics, from the court documents: “In addition to the escalation” in her “anxiety and distress that has resulted from Kings Mountain High School’s refusal to let ‘John’ access the restroom on equal terms” with biological boys, her kidney function “has also been compromised as a result” of her lack of access “to appropriate restroom facilities.”
On the website of the Duke Department of Pediatrics, the doctor states she cares for children with all kinds of hormonal disorders, for instance “disorders of sexual development, including transgender.”
“Sexual development, pubertal disorders, and gender disorders are a special interest of mine,” Adkins says on her bio. She has been in contact with “John Doe” since 2017.
Both Adkins and another doctor had recommended to Kings Mountain High School that they allow “John Doe” to use the boys’ restroom closest to her classroom.
The Shelby Star explained, “Superintendent Stephen Fisher said the district takes student needs like Doe’s on a case-by-case basis and tries to come up with individualized plans to meet their needs. He would not say if the district has made similar accommodations for other students in Doe’s position in the past.”
Shearra Miller, chairwoman of the school board, said, “We made an accommodation for the student that we felt was in the best interest of the student at the time.”
North Carolina was in the news in 2016 for its “Public Facilities Privacy & Security Act,” commonly known as House Bill 2. That law delivered a definition of biological sex, namely “The physical condition of being male or female, which is stated on a person’s birth certificate.”
Based on that definition, “Local boards of education shall require every multiple occupancy bathroom or changing facility that is designated for student use to be designated for and used only by students based on their biological sex.”
While the law allowed for accommodations, those stopped short of allowing a girl to use a multiple occupancy restroom designated for boys.
After the governor signed the law, outcry from the left was enormous. Various companies decided to stop expansion in North Carolina, including PayPal and Deutsche Bank.
Within a month, it was estimated that this protest had cost North Carolina “more than 1750 jobs and more than $77 million” in investments.
Even sports organizations protested the new law. The NBA relocated the 2017 All-Star Game to New Orleans, Louisiana. Previously, it was scheduled to take place in Charlotte, North Carolina.
With the NCAA putting pressure on North Carolina in 2017, announcing that no championship games would be hosted in the state until at least 2022, the law was partially repealed.
That partial repeal was confirmed by a U.S. court settlement in 2019. Reuters summarized at the time, “Transgender people in North Carolina can use any public restroom in state-run buildings that conforms with their gender identity.”
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lifesitenews--2020-02-07--Nancy Pelosi: ‘I don’t know’ if Trump understands prayer, but ‘I pray for hi

Nancy Pelosi: ‘I don’t know’ if Trump understands prayer, but ‘I pray for him’

February 7 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has suggested that President Donald Trump doesn ’ t “ understand about prayer or people who pray , ” while claiming to “ pray hard ” for the president herself .
“ I don ’ t know if the president understands about prayer or people who pray , ” Pelosi said Thursday at her weekly press conference .
“ I pray for the United States of America , I pray for him , I pray for President Bush still , President Obama…because it ’ s a heavy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s so off the track of our Constitution , our values , our country…He really needs our prayers , ” continued Pelosi .
“ So he can say whatever he wants , but I do pray for him and I do so sincerely and without anguish , gently , that ’ s the way I pray for everybody else.
” Pelosi , who led the impeachment efforts against Trump , champions abortion on demand and same-sex “ marriage.
” In 2013 , while dodging a question about late-term abortion , Pelosi said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Catholic , this is sacred ground to me when we talk about this.
” Earlier on Thursday Trump had addressed the 2020 National Prayer Breakfast , where he spoke about the importance of prayer for America and Americans , cited the efforts he and his administration were making to defend persecuted Christians and religious minorities all around the world , and concluded his speech with a prayer .
“ Faith keeps us free .
Prayer makes us strong , ” Trump said during his address .
“ And God alone is the author @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” “ We ’ re restoring hope , and spreading faith , ” he said .
Pelosi also attended the breakfast , sitting just a few seats away from Trump at the head table .
Before Trump spoke , the California Democrat took to the podium and read a prayer for religious liberty .
She neither addressed nor acknowledged President Trump , forgoing an opportunity to publicly apologize for her recent insulting gesture on national television , ripping the text of his State of the Union speech as she stood behind him .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump took aim at people who he says “ use their faith as justification for doing what they know is wrong.
” In a reference to the failed impeachment proceedings taken against him , Trump said : “ So many people have been hurt , and we can ’ t let that go on.
” Pelosi frequently brought up prayer as she led the impeachment efforts against Trump .
Sen. Mitt Romney ( R-UT ) , the lone Republican to vote “ guilty ” on one of the impeachment charges , cited his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so .
In 2015 Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone , Pelosi ’ s local bishop , responded to her repeated refusal to say whether an unborn child at 20 weeks is a “ human being ” by reminding Pelosi that “ no Catholic can dissent in good conscience ” on abortion .
“ It is a scientific fact that human life begins at conception , ” he said .
“ This has been established in medical science for over 100 years .
Catholic moral teaching acknowledges this scientific fact , and has always affirmed the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ human life.
” “ This has been the consistent teaching of the Church from the very beginning , a teaching already discernible in the natural moral law , and so a teaching from which no Catholic can dissent in good conscience , ” he added .
Pastors , he said , have an “ obligation … to reach out to their people who have difficulty understanding and accepting such important teachings of the Church in order to extend to them true pastoral care and , where appropriate , to establish a regular dialogue.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ numerous recent high-profile references to her faith and professions to be Catholic , LifeSite has written to Archbishop Cordileone to enquire whether he has instructed the clergy of his diocese to deny Pelosi Holy Communion due to her long-term , consistent support for abortion .
LifeSiteNews did not receive a response by the time of publication , but will update this article when we do .
In December last year Pelosi reacted angrily when asked by a reporter if she hated Trump .
Pelosi cited her Catholic upbringing , as she claimed that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I was raised in a Catholic house .
We don ’ t hate anybody , ” she said while wagging her finger .
“ Not anybody in the world.
” “ I think the president is a coward when it comes to helping our kids who are afraid of gun violence , ” she said .
“ I think he is cruel when he does n't deal with helping our ‘ Dreamers ’ of which we are proud .
I think he is in denial about the climate crisis.
” “ As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ using the word ‘ hate ’ in a sentence that addresses me , ” said the House Speaker .
“ I do n't hate anyone .
I was raised in a way that is a heart full of love and always prayed for the president , and I still pray for the president .
I pray for the president all the time .
”

'I do pray for him and I do so sincerely and without anguish, gently,' said Pelosi, who ignored Trump at the National Prayer Breakfast after ripping up on national TV a copy of his State of the Union speech earlier in the week. Pelosi led the effort to impeach Trump.
February 7, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has suggested that President Donald Trump doesn’t “understand about prayer or people who pray,” while claiming to “pray hard” for the president herself.
“I don’t know if the president understands about prayer or people who pray,” Pelosi said Thursday at her weekly press conference.
“I pray for the United States of America, I pray for him, I pray for President Bush still, President Obama…because it’s a heavy responsibility…I pray hard for him because he’s so off the track of our Constitution, our values, our country…He really needs our prayers,” continued Pelosi. “So he can say whatever he wants, but I do pray for him and I do so sincerely and without anguish, gently, that’s the way I pray for everybody else.”
Pelosi, who led the impeachment efforts against Trump, champions abortion on demand and same-sex “marriage.” In 2013, while dodging a question about late-term abortion, Pelosi said, “As a practicing and respectful Catholic, this is sacred ground to me when we talk about this.”
Earlier on Thursday Trump had addressed the 2020 National Prayer Breakfast, where he spoke about the importance of prayer for America and Americans, cited the efforts he and his administration were making to defend persecuted Christians and religious minorities all around the world, and concluded his speech with a prayer.
“Faith keeps us free. Prayer makes us strong,” Trump said during his address. “And God alone is the author of life and the giver of grace.”
“We’re restoring hope, and spreading faith,” he said.
Trump concluded with a prayer:
This morning let us ask Father in heaven to guide our steps, protect our children, and bless our families. And with all of our hearts, let us forever embrace the eternal truth that every child is made equal by the hand of Almighty God.
Pelosi also attended the breakfast, sitting just a few seats away from Trump at the head table. Before Trump spoke, the California Democrat took to the podium and read a prayer for religious liberty.
She neither addressed nor acknowledged President Trump, forgoing an opportunity to publicly apologize for her recent insulting gesture on national television, ripping the text of his State of the Union speech as she stood behind him.
During his speech at the breakfast, Trump took aim at people who he says “use their faith as justification for doing what they know is wrong.” In a reference to the failed impeachment proceedings taken against him, Trump said: “So many people have been hurt, and we can’t let that go on.”
Pelosi frequently brought up prayer as she led the impeachment efforts against Trump. Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT), the lone Republican to vote “guilty” on one of the impeachment charges, cited his Mormon faith as a reason for doing so.
In 2015 Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone, Pelosi’s local bishop, responded to her repeated refusal to say whether an unborn child at 20 weeks is a “human being” by reminding Pelosi that “no Catholic can dissent in good conscience” on abortion.
“It is a scientific fact that human life begins at conception,” he said. “This has been established in medical science for over 100 years. Catholic moral teaching acknowledges this scientific fact, and has always affirmed the grave moral evil of taking an innocent human life.”
“This has been the consistent teaching of the Church from the very beginning, a teaching already discernible in the natural moral law, and so a teaching from which no Catholic can dissent in good conscience,” he added.
Pastors, he said, have an “obligation … to reach out to their people who have difficulty understanding and accepting such important teachings of the Church in order to extend to them true pastoral care and, where appropriate, to establish a regular dialogue.”
In light of Pelosi’s numerous recent high-profile references to her faith and professions to be Catholic, LifeSite has written to Archbishop Cordileone to enquire whether he has instructed the clergy of his diocese to deny Pelosi Holy Communion due to her long-term, consistent support for abortion. LifeSiteNews did not receive a response by the time of publication, but will update this article when we do.
In December last year Pelosi reacted angrily when asked by a reporter if she hated Trump. Pelosi cited her Catholic upbringing, as she claimed that she didn’t hate anybody. “I was raised in a Catholic house. We don’t hate anybody,” she said while wagging her finger. “Not anybody in the world.”
“I think the president is a coward when it comes to helping our kids who are afraid of gun violence,” she said. “I think he is cruel when he doesn't deal with helping our ‘Dreamers’ of which we are proud. I think he is in denial about the climate crisis.”
“As a Catholic, I resent you're using the word ‘hate’ in a sentence that addresses me,” said the House Speaker. “I don't hate anyone. I was raised in a way that is a heart full of love and always prayed for the president, and I still pray for the president. I pray for the president all the time.”
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lifesitenews--2020-02-07--Govt should overrule parents who ‘neglect’ to transition kids, med journal argues

February 7 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – As tensions rise between parental rights and child gender confusion , a recent article in a prestigious medical journal makes the case for state intervention to “ transition ” children against their parents ’ will .
On December 31 , the Journal of the American Medical Association published “ Medically assisted gender affirmation : when children and parents disagree , ” by a group of academics led by Dr. Samuel Dubin of the University of Michigan .
The authors ’ approach “ prioritizes the developing autonomy of transgender youth in the decision-making @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ in the literature surrounding the risks and benefits of gender-affirming therapy in transgender children and the existing legal basis for recognizing minors ’ decision-making authority in certain medical situations.
” “ Neglect , as a medico-legal term , can be used to initiate an evaluation by Child Protective Services and remove a parent as a child ’ s legal guardian in the most severe instances , ” the piece argued .
“ We conclude that situations where a parent prevents a minor from receiving treatments related to gender dysphoria violate the Harm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fact , a range of scientific literature indicates that reinforcing gender confusion is harmful in the long term , and often fails to prevent significant emotional harm up to and including attempted suicide ( with or without surgery ) , 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 .
Nevertheless , there have been numerous cases around the world of authorities either subjecting children to gender reassignment or siding against parents who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Texas mother ’ s legal battle to raise her son as a girl over his father ’ s objections , to the UK ’ s National Health Service administering puberty blockers to dozens of children who had been misdiagnosed as gender-dysphoric .
`` Pediatricians in particular are taught that during certain kinds of office visits they are to interview the child separately from the parents , ” Dr. Andre Van Mol of the American College of Pediatricians told the Christian Post .
“ That may be presented as something with very good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abuse , but it can also be used ideologically to advance the abortion agenda , encourage premature sexual debut and an overconfidence in birth control , and now clearly to advance transgender ideology.
” '' Transgender ideologues now seem firmly in the driver 's seat of establishing policy for several of these medical organizations , most notably the ones for pediatricians , psychologists , psychiatrists and social workers , ” Van Mol warned .
“ It is not based on science or long-term evidence .
Many of us see this as a replay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and '60s .
Opposition to it knows no boundaries of politics or faith , and it is gaining momentum . ''

February 7, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – As tensions rise between parental rights and child gender confusion, a recent article in a prestigious medical journal makes the case for state intervention to “transition” children against their parents’ will.
On December 31, the Journal of the American Medical Association published “Medically assisted gender affirmation: when children and parents disagree,” by a group of academics led by Dr. Samuel Dubin of the University of Michigan. The authors’ approach “prioritizes the developing autonomy of transgender youth in the decision-making process, and claims to be based “in the literature surrounding the risks and benefits of gender-affirming therapy in transgender children and the existing legal basis for recognizing minors’ decision-making authority in certain medical situations.”
“Neglect, as a medico-legal term, can be used to initiate an evaluation by Child Protective Services and remove a parent as a child’s legal guardian in the most severe instances,” the piece argued. “We conclude that situations where a parent prevents a minor from receiving treatments related to gender dysphoria violate the Harm Principle and justify state intervention.”
In fact, a range of scientific literature indicates that reinforcing gender confusion is harmful in the long term, and often fails to prevent significant emotional harm up to and including attempted suicide (with or without surgery), 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.
Nevertheless, there have been numerous cases around the world of authorities either subjecting children to gender reassignment or siding against parents who want to protect their children, from a Texas mother’s legal battle to raise her son as a girl over his father’s objections, to the UK’s National Health Service administering puberty blockers to dozens of children who had been misdiagnosed as gender-dysphoric.
“Pediatricians in particular are taught that during certain kinds of office visits they are to interview the child separately from the parents,” Dr. Andre Van Mol of the American College of Pediatricians told the Christian Post. “That may be presented as something with very good intentions, such as discovering patterns of abuse, but it can also be used ideologically to advance the abortion agenda, encourage premature sexual debut and an overconfidence in birth control, and now clearly to advance transgender ideology.”
“Transgender ideologues now seem firmly in the driver's seat of establishing policy for several of these medical organizations, most notably the ones for pediatricians, psychologists, psychiatrists and social workers,” Van Mol warned. “It is not based on science or long-term evidence. Many of us see this as a replay of the lobotomy movement of the '50s and '60s. Opposition to it knows no boundaries of politics or faith, and it is gaining momentum.”
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lifesitenews--2020-02-07--Florida Senate passes bill requiring parental consent for minors’ abortions

TALLAHASSEE , Florida , February 7 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Florida lawmakers took another step toward strengthening the state ’ s parental involvement laws this week as a bill requiring a parent ’ s consent for a minor ’ s abortion passed the state Senate .
Florida already requires parents to be notified , but Senate Bill 404 forbids abortionists from going through with a minor ’ s abortion unless they receive a “ notarized written statement signed by a minor and either her mother , her father , or her legal guardian ” agreeing that “ the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the minor.
” Consent would not be required in cases of “ medical emergency ” or if a judge grants a waiver .
Judicial waivers must be based on finding “ clear and convincing evidence ” of the minor ’ s maturity to make the decision or else that a “ preponderance of the evidence ” indicates that her parents are sexually abusing her .
The bill passed the Senate 23-17 Thursday , the Miami Herald reports .
“ This is about whether or not you ’ re going to have adults involved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ argued Republican state Sen. Kelli Stargel , who relayed her own past as a pregnant teen who chose life in support of the measure .
Abortion defenders attacked the bill as imposing a needless burden on the so-called “ right to choose.
” In fact , while modern Supreme Court precedent falsely asserts that the Constitution contains a right to abortion , the court has also repeatedly recognized a legitimate state interest in protecting both prenatal life and women ’ s safety .
Since Roe v. Wade , the Court has upheld numerous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consent laws .
Last year , parental consent legislation passed the Florida House but died in the Senate ; this year it is expected to have better luck in the House .
Pro-life Republican Gov .
Ron DeSantis is certain to sign SB 404 into law , as he has already called on the legislature to send it to his desk .

TALLAHASSEE, Florida, February 7, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Florida lawmakers took another step toward strengthening the state’s parental involvement laws this week as a bill requiring a parent’s consent for a minor’s abortion passed the state Senate.
Florida already requires parents to be notified, but Senate Bill 404 forbids abortionists from going through with a minor’s abortion unless they receive a “notarized written statement signed by a minor and either her mother, her father, or her legal guardian” agreeing that “the abortion is in the best interest of the minor.”
Consent would not be required in cases of “medical emergency” or if a judge grants a waiver. Judicial waivers must be based on finding “clear and convincing evidence” of the minor’s maturity to make the decision or else that a “preponderance of the evidence” indicates that her parents are sexually abusing her.
The bill passed the Senate 23-17 Thursday, the Miami Herald reports.
“This is about whether or not you’re going to have adults involved in difficult decisions with children,” argued Republican state Sen. Kelli Stargel, who relayed her own past as a pregnant teen who chose life in support of the measure.
Abortion defenders attacked the bill as imposing a needless burden on the so-called “right to choose.” In fact, while modern Supreme Court precedent falsely asserts that the Constitution contains a right to abortion, the court has also repeatedly recognized a legitimate state interest in protecting both prenatal life and women’s safety. Since Roe v. Wade, the Court has upheld numerous abortion restrictions, including parental notification and consent laws.
Last year, parental consent legislation passed the Florida House but died in the Senate; this year it is expected to have better luck in the House. Pro-life Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis is certain to sign SB 404 into law, as he has already called on the legislature to send it to his desk.
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lifesitenews--2020-02-07--Trudeau called ‘most dangerous man in Canadian political history’ for  plan to regulate online news

OTTAWA , February 7 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — Warnings continue to multiply over the “ insane ” and “ invasive ” report that recommends Canada ’ s Liberal government register and regulate internet media content providers .
A number of commentators in and outside Canada denounced the Broadcasting and Telecommunications Legislative Review ( BTLR ) panel ’ s report released last week as a “ breathtaking ” and unprecedented plan to regulate the internet .
The government-assembled panel of broadcasting experts chaired by Janet Yale was tasked with advising the Liberals on overhauling the country ’ s allegedly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a massive expansion of the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission ( CRTC ) as the renamed Canadian Communications Commission .
“ A key recommendation was to extend licences currently granted to radio and television stations to all media content , along with a much stricter compliance regime , ” noted the National Post ’ s John Ivison .
Indeed , so strict is this proposed scheme that two former CRTC members are among the report ’ s fiercest critics .
Former CRTC vice-chair of telecommunications Peter Menzies wrote in the Globe and Mail @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scope and bureaucratic hubris ” and “ a series of invasive and unjustifiable recommendations , ” the panel “ advocated for a sweeping series of interventions that would make all online media – from online sites such as Rabble to Rebel News and in any language – subject to government regulation.
” That was echoed by former CRTC commissioner Timothy Denton , who in a Financial Post op-ed wrote that the report advocates “ an unprecedented power grab for the federal government and the CRTC ” aimed “ at nothing less than a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was echoed by well-known Canadian pundit and political commentator Andrew Coyne .
The report is “ breathtaking — a regulatory power grab without precedent , either in Canada or the democratic world , ” noted Coyne in the Globe and Mail .
“ Nobody elsewhere else is proposing anything like it , and for good reason : because it ’ s insane.
” But what the Liberal government will do remains a critical question after Heritage Minister Steven Guilbault caused a firestorm by first appearing to endorse the idea of government licenses for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ position the next day .
On Sunday , Guilbault told CTV News : “ If you ’ re a distributor of content in Canada… we would ask that they have a licence , yes.
” On Monday , both the minister and the prime minister insisted the Liberals won ’ t license internet news or regulate internet news .
But that ’ s not exactly reassuring given the report recommends that “ companies delivering media content by means of the internet would be required to register with the new Canadian Communications Commission , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mention here of any exemptions for news organizations , ” noted Ivison .
And while the report ’ s “ implications for press freedom are obvious – so obvious , that one would expect the whole newspaper industry to rise up as one and reject it , ” it also contains an offer of “ goodies ” for that beleaguered sector , Coyne observed .
Indeed , even as critics allege the Trudeau government ’ s $ 595 million “ media bail-out ” announced in its last budget compromises Canada ’ s legacy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ the government could help news outlets ” losing out to digital competitors , the Globe and Mail reported .
It recommends that online media content providers must register with the CRTC and pay into a fund to support select Canadian news organizations , it reported .
Newspapers “ would be eligible for subsidies paid for out of the taxes on aggregators and sharers , who would also be obliged to link ” to those Canadian news sites the CRTC deems “ accurate , trusted and reliable , ” Coyne explained .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hand that feeds us , now or in the future ?
” he added .
Liberals and their beneficiaries believe they are “ saving quality journalism , ” noted Ivison , “ while everyone else thinks it ’ s a transparent bribe.
” That ’ s echoed by Jack Fonseca , director of political operations at Campaign Life Coalition , Canada ’ s national pro-life , pro-family lobbying group .
The Liberal “ bailout of the privately-owned mainstream media was a bribe to ensure that major media outlets will become dependent on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ critical about Trudeau , or else , ” he told LifeSiteNews .
It ’ s similar to the Liberal government ’ s “ new rules to muzzle so-called Third Party Advertisers at election time , including simple information posted on Canadian websites , ” he said .
Fonseca maintains those rules were “ designed to de-platform all small-c conservative voices which might be critical of Liberal policies , including that of Campaign Life Coalition .
We actually had to shut down our pro-life Voters ’ Guide for months during the election , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Canadians should regard the recent controversial broadcasting report in the context of what they know about the Liberals , and particularly the prime minister , who in May 2014 expressed his admiration for China ’ s “ basic dictatorship , ” he pointed out .
“ We need to take Trudeau at his word , and not just laugh at him as if he ’ s some kind of joke .
He was deadly serious .
A basic dictatorship is what he admires .
And it seems fairly clear that ’ s where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country , with a clear plan in his own mind , ” Fonseca said .
The possibility that the Liberals could “ create a ‘ media registry ’ and start licensing internet and social media-based news outlets is the latest in a string of warning signs that Justin Trudeau is the most dangerous man in Canadian political history , ” he added .
Moreover , if the Liberals move ahead with this plan , it ’ s reasonable to assume “ websites like LifeSiteNews would be forced to shut down because the Liberal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ license , ” warned Fonseca .
“ In short , Liberals will have total control of the internet and the power to block all dissenting voices.
” Justin Trudeau - Office of the Prime Minister 80 Wellington Street Ottawa , ON K1A 0A2 Fax : 613-941-6900 [ email protected ] https : //pm.gc.ca/en/connect/contact Trudeau govt backpedals on licensing of news websites after outcry

Warnings mount over 'insane' report the Liberal govt is using to push for the regulation of internet media content providers.
OTTAWA, February 7, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — Warnings continue to multiply over the “insane” and “invasive” report that recommends Canada’s Liberal government register and regulate internet media content providers.
A number of commentators in and outside Canada denounced the Broadcasting and Telecommunications Legislative Review (BTLR) panel’s report released last week as a “breathtaking” and unprecedented plan to regulate the internet.
The government-assembled panel of broadcasting experts chaired by Janet Yale was tasked with advising the Liberals on overhauling the country’s allegedly outdated broadcasting laws.
Its report recommended a massive expansion of the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) as the renamed Canadian Communications Commission.
“A key recommendation was to extend licences currently granted to radio and television stations to all media content, along with a much stricter compliance regime,” noted the National Post’s John Ivison.
Indeed, so strict is this proposed scheme that two former CRTC members are among the report’s fiercest critics.
Former CRTC vice-chair of telecommunications Peter Menzies wrote in the Globe and Mail that in a “breathtaking expansion of scope and bureaucratic hubris” and “a series of invasive and unjustifiable recommendations,” the panel “advocated for a sweeping series of interventions that would make all online media – from online sites such as Rabble to Rebel News and in any language – subject to government regulation.”
That was echoed by former CRTC commissioner Timothy Denton, who in a Financial Post op-ed wrote that the report advocates “an unprecedented power grab for the federal government and the CRTC” aimed “at nothing less than a statist counter-revolution against the internet.”
That was echoed by well-known Canadian pundit and political commentator Andrew Coyne.
The report is “breathtaking — a regulatory power grab without precedent, either in Canada or the democratic world,” noted Coyne in the Globe and Mail.
“Nobody elsewhere else is proposing anything like it, and for good reason: because it’s insane.”
But what the Liberal government will do remains a critical question after Heritage Minister Steven Guilbault caused a firestorm by first appearing to endorse the idea of government licenses for internet news sites, then reversing his position the next day.
On Sunday, Guilbault told CTV News: “If you’re a distributor of content in Canada… we would ask that they have a licence, yes.” On Monday, both the minister and the prime minister insisted the Liberals won’t license internet news or regulate internet news.
But that’s not exactly reassuring given the report recommends that “companies delivering media content by means of the internet would be required to register with the new Canadian Communications Commission,” and that it makes “no mention here of any exemptions for news organizations,” noted Ivison.
And while the report’s “implications for press freedom are obvious – so obvious, that one would expect the whole newspaper industry to rise up as one and reject it,” it also contains an offer of “goodies” for that beleaguered sector, Coyne observed.
Indeed, even as critics allege the Trudeau government’s $595 million “media bail-out” announced in its last budget compromises Canada’s legacy media, the report outlines more ways “the government could help news outlets” losing out to digital competitors, the Globe and Mail reported.
It recommends that online media content providers must register with the CRTC and pay into a fund to support select Canadian news organizations, it reported.
Newspapers “would be eligible for subsidies paid for out of the taxes on aggregators and sharers, who would also be obliged to link” to those Canadian news sites the CRTC deems “accurate, trusted and reliable,” Coyne explained.
“Are we really going to bite the hand that feeds us, now or in the future?” he added.
Liberals and their beneficiaries believe they are “saving quality journalism,” noted Ivison, “while everyone else thinks it’s a transparent bribe.”
That’s echoed by Jack Fonseca, director of political operations at Campaign Life Coalition, Canada’s national pro-life, pro-family lobbying group.
The Liberal “bailout of the privately-owned mainstream media was a bribe to ensure that major media outlets will become dependent on the government, and therefore not report anything critical about Trudeau, or else,” he told LifeSiteNews.
It’s similar to the Liberal government’s “new rules to muzzle so-called Third Party Advertisers at election time, including simple information posted on Canadian websites,” he said.
Fonseca maintains those rules were “designed to de-platform all small-c conservative voices which might be critical of Liberal policies, including that of Campaign Life Coalition. We actually had to shut down our pro-life Voters’ Guide for months during the election, and then massively restrict access to it.”
Canadians should regard the recent controversial broadcasting report in the context of what they know about the Liberals, and particularly the prime minister, who in May 2014 expressed his admiration for China’s “basic dictatorship,” he pointed out.
“We need to take Trudeau at his word, and not just laugh at him as if he’s some kind of joke. He was deadly serious. A basic dictatorship is what he admires. And it seems fairly clear that’s where he’s trying to steer the country, with a clear plan in his own mind,” Fonseca said.
The possibility that the Liberals could “create a ‘media registry’ and start licensing internet and social media-based news outlets is the latest in a string of warning signs that Justin Trudeau is the most dangerous man in Canadian political history,” he added.
Moreover, if the Liberals move ahead with this plan, it’s reasonable to assume “websites like LifeSiteNews would be forced to shut down because the Liberal government would refuse to give them a license,” warned Fonseca.
“In short, Liberals will have total control of the internet and the power to block all dissenting voices.”
Contact information:
The Honourable Steven Guilbeault – Minister of Canadian Heritage
15 Eddy Street, 12th Floor
Gatineau, Quebec K1A 0M5
Telephone: 819-997-7788
Email: [email protected]
Conservative MP Michelle Rempel Garner
Shadow minister for industry and economic development
Suite 115, 70 Country Hills Landing NW
Calgary, AB T3K 2L2
Telephone: 403-216-7777
Email: [email protected]
Justin Trudeau – Office of the Prime Minister
80 Wellington Street
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A2
Fax: 613-941-6900
[email protected]
https://pm.gc.ca/en/connect/contact
Related:
‘Terrifying’: US watchdog denounces Trudeau govt’s push to control Canada’s free press
Trudeau govt backpedals on licensing of news websites after outcry
Canadian govt. offers huge tax breaks to ‘trusted’ news organizations 11 months prior to election
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lifesitenews--2020-02-07--Utah bill would require ‘warning label’ to be attached to porn

PETITION : Call on U.S. Attorney General to declare war on porn !
Sign the petition here .
SALT LAKE CITY , Utah , February 7 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – A bill introduced into the Utah legislature would require pornographic content distributed in the state to come with a “ warning label.
” According to the proposed House Bill 243 , the warning label would say : “ Exposing minors to pornography is known to the state of Utah to cause negative impacts to brain development , emotional development , and the ability to maintain intimate relationships .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ addictive sexual behavior , low self-esteem , and the improper objectification of and sexual violence towards others , among numerous other harms.
” The warning label would have to be displayed for 15 seconds prior to “ the display of any video or each image which includes ” pornographic material as defined by state law .
Similarly , for printed material , the warning is to be placed “ in clear , readable type on the cover ” of each publication containing pornography .
Sponsored by Republican Representative Brady Brammer , House Bill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to $ 2,500 in case of violation .
Jake Roberson , director of communications for the National Center on Sexual Exploitation , called the development in Utah “ very encouraging.
” In 2016 , Utah had declared pornography a public health crisis .
According to the resolution signed by Governor Gary Herbert , pornography “ perpetuates a sexually toxic environment , ” contributes “ to the hypersexualization of teens , and even prepubescent children , in our society , ” and “ treats women as objects and commodities for the viewer ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out how pornography normalizes violence and abuse , while at the same time impacting the development and functioning of the viewer ’ s brain .
The resolution mentioned societal consequences of the use of pornography , for instance , a lessening desire of young men to marry , a greater dissatisfaction within marriage , and infidelity .
Utah officially recognized the need “ for education , prevention , research , and policy change at the community and societal level in order to address the pornography epidemic that is harming the people of our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mind , Roberson told LifeSiteNews , a law requiring a warning label to be attached to pornographic material would only be the “ natural outgrowth ” of the resolution .
“ We think it would be negligent of them not to take this step , ” he said .
Referring to the practice of attaching warning labels to tobacco products and alcoholic beverages , Roberson described the effort in Utah as a similar initiative , saying : “ It ’ s an important step on the path towards protecting people from the inherent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he was “ hopeful ” that the bill , which was introduced on February 4 , 2020 , would go through .
While the National Center on Sexual Exploitation is currently unaware of any efforts to attach a warning label to pornography in other states , more than a dozen already followed in the footsteps of Utah when the Beehive State first declared pornography as a public health crisis in 2016 .
With more and more legislatures recognizing the dangers of porn , one of the largest providers of pornography , Pornhub , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take part in Fashion Week in New York City .
According to a short article published by the New York Post , the porn actresses will participate in the presentation of a collection called “ Herotica.
” The designers claim the performers supplied by Pornhub “ are a feminist statement , ” explains the newspaper .
One of the designers is quoted as saying , “ The cosmos of sexual pleasure has been restricted to a few boring and chauvinistic narratives for the pleasure of the male gaze .
Porn isn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been excluded from determining the narrative.
” The communications director for the National Center on Sexual Exploitation criticized this move , saying , “ Pornhub trying to position itself as a feminist organization is really , really problematic and just not factual.
” Roberson pointed out that Pornhub , through its content , actually degrades and abuses women .
In early January 2020 , a producer of pornography was sentenced to pay almost $ 13 million to 22 women for fraud .
The Los Angeles Times reported that two website owners and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who claimed they were deceived and coerced into making explicit sex films without knowing the images would be posted on the internet.
” Talking to LifeSiteNews , Roberson asked , “ Why did Pornhub continue to host and feature ” content of that company “ on its website while there were lawsuits against it for trafficking , abusing , and manipulating women ?
” When the lawsuit reached its conclusion in January , Benjamin Bull , Director of the National Center on Sexual Exploitation Law Center , declared that no amount of money @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the porn producer , “ but this trailblazing lawsuit cuts a path that can now be followed by advocates for other survivors of horrific abuses inflicted by the pornography industry.
” Bull was convinced that there would be many more lawsuits following the one in San Diego – a fact he called “ a very good thing.
” He added , “ The lawsuit also has immense value in shining the light of public scrutiny on what is a common place practice of abusing young women by pornography companies .
”

'Exposing minors to pornography is known to the state of Utah to cause negative impacts to brain development, emotional development, and the ability to maintain intimate relationships.'
PETITION: Call on U.S. Attorney General to declare war on porn! Sign the petition here.
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, February 7, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – A bill introduced into the Utah legislature would require pornographic content distributed in the state to come with a “warning label.”
According to the proposed House Bill 243, the warning label would say: “Exposing minors to pornography is known to the state of Utah to cause negative impacts to brain development, emotional development, and the ability to maintain intimate relationships. Such exposure may lead to harmful and addictive sexual behavior, low self-esteem, and the improper objectification of and sexual violence towards others, among numerous other harms.”
The warning label would have to be displayed for 15 seconds prior to “the display of any video or each image which includes” pornographic material as defined by state law. Similarly, for printed material, the warning is to be placed “in clear, readable type on the cover” of each publication containing pornography.
Sponsored by Republican Representative Brady Brammer, House Bill 243 arranges for a penalty of up to $2,500 in case of violation.
Jake Roberson, director of communications for the National Center on Sexual Exploitation, called the development in Utah “very encouraging.”
In 2016, Utah had declared pornography a public health crisis. According to the resolution signed by Governor Gary Herbert, pornography “perpetuates a sexually toxic environment,” contributes “to the hypersexualization of teens, and even prepubescent children, in our society,” and “treats women as objects and commodities for the viewer’s use.”
Additionally, the resolution pointed out how pornography normalizes violence and abuse, while at the same time impacting the development and functioning of the viewer’s brain. The resolution mentioned societal consequences of the use of pornography, for instance, a lessening desire of young men to marry, a greater dissatisfaction within marriage, and infidelity.
Utah officially recognized the need “for education, prevention, research, and policy change at the community and societal level in order to address the pornography epidemic that is harming the people of our state and nation.”
With that in mind, Roberson told LifeSiteNews, a law requiring a warning label to be attached to pornographic material would only be the “natural outgrowth” of the resolution. “We think it would be negligent of them not to take this step,” he said.
Referring to the practice of attaching warning labels to tobacco products and alcoholic beverages, Roberson described the effort in Utah as a similar initiative, saying: “It’s an important step on the path towards protecting people from the inherent harms” of pornography.
Roberson stated he was “hopeful” that the bill, which was introduced on February 4, 2020, would go through.
While the National Center on Sexual Exploitation is currently unaware of any efforts to attach a warning label to pornography in other states, more than a dozen already followed in the footsteps of Utah when the Beehive State first declared pornography as a public health crisis in 2016.
With more and more legislatures recognizing the dangers of porn, one of the largest providers of pornography, Pornhub, is sending some of its performers to take part in Fashion Week in New York City.
According to a short article published by the New York Post, the porn actresses will participate in the presentation of a collection called “Herotica.” The designers claim the performers supplied by Pornhub “are a feminist statement,” explains the newspaper.
One of the designers is quoted as saying, “The cosmos of sexual pleasure has been restricted to a few boring and chauvinistic narratives for the pleasure of the male gaze. Porn isn’t something existentially male. Most women just have been excluded from determining the narrative.”
The communications director for the National Center on Sexual Exploitation criticized this move, saying, “Pornhub trying to position itself as a feminist organization is really, really problematic and just not factual.”
Roberson pointed out that Pornhub, through its content, actually degrades and abuses women.
In early January 2020, a producer of pornography was sentenced to pay almost $13 million to 22 women for fraud. The Los Angeles Times reported that two website owners and one actor were sued by 22 women who claimed they were deceived and coerced into making explicit sex films without knowing the images would be posted on the internet.”
Talking to LifeSiteNews, Roberson asked, “Why did Pornhub continue to host and feature” content of that company “on its website while there were lawsuits against it for trafficking, abusing, and manipulating women?”
When the lawsuit reached its conclusion in January, Benjamin Bull, Director of the National Center on Sexual Exploitation Law Center, declared that no amount of money can account for the damage caused by the porn producer, “but this trailblazing lawsuit cuts a path that can now be followed by advocates for other survivors of horrific abuses inflicted by the pornography industry.”
Bull was convinced that there would be many more lawsuits following the one in San Diego – a fact he called “a very good thing.” He added, “The lawsuit also has immense value in shining the light of public scrutiny on what is a common place practice of abusing young women by pornography companies.”
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