Family
The History of Conversion Therapy
LGBT activism has many frontiers, and conversion therapy is an ongoing battleground from culture to politics and daily life.
Gay, lesbian, and trans people have been subjected to such attempts to “reverse” or “undo” their alternative sexual behavior, and only in recent years has the medical community acknowledged the problems with these so-called “therapies.”
The history is complex and messy, with plenty of emotion on either side of the argument. But no matter where you stand, it’s important to understand how conversion therapy works – or doesn’t work – along with the evidence and examples that lead us to a clear conclusion.
Conversion Therapy Background
It’s hard to imagine a world without LGBT advocacy, considering the widespread support from government and medical institutions today. However, it wasn’t long ago that gay people were categorically ostracized, and practices like conversion therapy were rampant.
What exactly constitutes this term? Here are a few examples.
- Talk therapy to discuss and analyze behaviors to change them
- Aversion therapies associating shocks or drugs with certain attractions
- Medical practices like hormone therapies to create biological alterations
- Religious approaches using prayer, community, and spiritual advisory
- More severe practices like verbal or physical abuse
Conversion therapy has a very broad definition, which makes it difficult to pinpoint exactly where and when it began. Since most societies were deeply religious in centuries past, most efforts to alter sexuality stemmed from these institutions.
However, non-religious forms of conversion therapy also emerged as society grew more secular. 19th-century psychologists from the Freud school of thought pushed for methods like hypnosis and analysis to reverse homosexual behavior, with mixed results.
In today’s world, conversion therapies are less common and more humane, but they still represent a point of contention for many in the LGBT community and beyond.
The Central Debate
Conversion therapy is controversial for a few reasons
Firstly, the practice assumes that sexual attraction is not a matter of genetics, but due to post-natal environmental factors. This is an ongoing debate in the medical community, as a “gay gene” has yet to be discovered. Figuring out whether sexual attraction is inherited or learned is fundamental to the conversion conversation.
From there, conversion therapy asserts that non-heterosexual lifestyles are harmful or immoral to individuals and society. This is where LGBT rights advocates step up their fight to defend the “live and let live” lifestyle and argue that young people should not be subjected to therapies to change their sexual behavior.
The final layer of the debate is about the legitimacy of conversion therapy methods themselves. Some argue that it’s pure pseudoscience with no evidence to suggest it even works. Others say that conversion therapy isn’t only ineffective, but also harms young people, causing them to feel rejected and leading to more harmful behaviors down the line.
On the other hand, many religious groups point to testimonials of people who voluntarily partake in conversion therapies and suggest they live happier lives as a result. Not all therapies are forced, and some people seek them out as a matter of personal choice.
Restrictions, Bans, and Regulations
In many parts of the world, conversion therapy methods have been limited or banned entirely, especially for young people who do not consent to the practice.
A major victory for the movement occurred in 1973, when homosexuality was removed from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders by the American Psychiatric Association. Dr. Charles Silverstein, featured in a recent conversion therapy movie, led a presentation to the APA that turned the tides forever.
This set the stage for conversion therapy to be questioned as a viable practice, since homosexual behavior was no longer considered a mental defect.
Since then, many organizations have stood against conversion therapies of all kinds, including the American Psychological Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Medical Association.
In terms of legislation, California was the first state to ban the practices in 2012. Since then, 20 states have banned conversion therapy outright, and dozens of municipalities in other states have passed similar acts.
This is good news for LGBT activism in America, but on a global scale, efforts are only just beginning. Many countries still classify homosexuality as illegal, and actively discriminate through law and culture.
The Future of Conversion Therapy
There is no shortage of controversy surrounding conversion therapy, and it’s an emotionally charged subject on either side of the aisle.
The medical community and Washington D.C. has made it clear that conversion therapy is not approved, while many conservative communities and states hold strong beliefs.
With political and cultural tensions peaking in America, the conversion therapy discussion will likely continue, so it’s best to have your facts in order moving forward. Do your research, talk with real people, and see if you can evolve your own opinions on the matter.
For coffee lovers who love to rock, we love the new Keurig partnership with The Rolling Stones. Of course, we all wish we had a summer break like being a kid again, but for the adult who has to report to work duty in the morning we could not think of a more splendid thing!
The limited edition “Start Me Up” iced coffee kit makes the perfect cup of coffee to jump start you day and will have you singing all day long. A special blend made just for this edition has a nutty roast that’ll start you up with electrifying notes of strawberry.
Each of the “Start Me Up” iced coffee kits includes a custom designed K-Iced brewer and tumbler, “Start Me Up” K-Cup Pods designed to be perfect over ice, as well as access to an exclusive Spotify playlist curated by the iconic band to rock out to while you sip.
It will start you up in a way you never knew possible! The kits are available to purchase on Keurig.com.
The language of flowers is a powerful symbol of expressing emotion. As spring continues, you may be enticed by a colorful tulip delivery at your local florist or market. Behind every bloom is a distinct meaning that can convey serious sentiments and bring joy and solace alike. Here, we will uncover the stories behind six of the most popular spring flowers so you can give your loved ones the perfect gift this season.
What Do Flowers Tell Us?
Flowers have captivated us throughout the ages with their beauty, vibrant colors, and sweet scent. From ancient mythology to more contemporary literature, the symbolic language of flowers has been associated with expressing emotion, surprise, and joy. But have you ever wondered what each flower is trying to tell us? What secrets lie beneath these delicate blooms? We will explore what flowers mean and how they can help communicate feelings in an eloquent yet intimate way.
Tulips: Symbolizing Happiness
SA tulip delivery is a sure way to brighten someone’s day. This versatile flower comes in many varieties, including late winter and spring blooms, and is associated with expressing happiness. Pairs perfectly with other early spring blooms such as daffodils and hyacinths for an extra special bouquet!
Daffodils: Proclaiming New Beginnings
Brightly lit yellow petals of daffodils signify new beginnings in life. Their fresh color palette speaks to a seasonal rebirth, helping us celebrate all the potential that lies ahead. Perfect for those embarking on new journeys or looking to make fresh starts this spring!
Ranunculus: Expressing Ardent Attraction
Ranunculus are multicolored blooms that express intense attraction with their delicate layers of ruffled petals. This eye-catching flower draws admiration wherever it goes and is often used at weddings as a sign of passionate love between two people.
Freesias: Representing Innocence & Friendship
Freesias are thought to represent innocence and friendship due to their light fragrance that evokes feelings of purity and warmth when gifted. A fitting bouquet for any occasion where strong bonds are at play: whether between parents, siblings, or friends!
Hyacinths Conveying Playfulness & Joy
The vibrancy behind hyacinths embodies joyful playfulness like no other flower can – so much so that they were dedicated to Apollo in Greek mythology who represented youthful exuberance! Gift these sprightly blooms to any lover of life who enjoys living every day like it is full of endless possibilities!
Peonies: Representing Romance & Good Fortune
Last but not least, peonies come packed with symbolism representing good fortune, compassion, romance, and even bashfulness. It is no wonder these flowers (which can weigh up to 2 pounds!) have been revered since ancient times as symbols of wealth and beauty making them perfect for expressing your heartfelt love this season!
Bonus: Boost Your Knowledge about the World of Flowers
For those looking to explore flowers in greater depth and discover more of their hidden messages, several books offer a wealth of knowledge. From growing flowers to caring for them in vases to learning the language of flowers, these books can provide invaluable insight into the world of blooms. After all, it is always curious to find out more about the meanings behind the lovely bouquets that we give and receive.
The Language Of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh is a remarkable book that delves into the Victorian traditions associated with different types of flowers. Through poignant stories, readers gain a better understanding of why certain blooms have taken on such powerful meanings over time.
The Flower Expert by Dr. D. G.Hessayon is another great resource for mastering the art of flower care. Covering topics ranging from flower selection and cutting techniques to creating bespoke mixed bouquets, this book offers step-by-step instructions on how best to care for your flowers so they can last longer in your home or garden.
Grow, Harvest, & Arrange Stunning Seasonal Blooms from Floret Farm’s Cut Flower Garden is a must-have guide for any aspiring florist or home gardener. This book takes you through the basics of flower gardening and arranging so you can create beautiful bouquets with your home-grown blooms. From seed selection to harvesting techniques, it provides a comprehensive how-to manual on growing stunning seasonal flowers.
Flowers are truly magical gifts that unlock deeper emotional connections through their various meanings. Taking the time to consider which type best reflects what you wish to express helps create meaningful gifts that last much longer than their shelf life. With their amazing semantic and aesthetic value, flowers have everything necessary to offer both the giver and the receiver the pleasure associated with their timeless language this springtime!
As parents, your main job is to support your children and help them grow into happy, healthy, successful adults. You do this by providing guidance, advice, and practical things like food, clothing, and shelter. You’ll also do this by giving them love and letting them know you’re there for them.
None of this changes just because they get older, and although parents would hope their adult children are equipped with all the knowledge they need to live their own lives well, sometimes they will be faced with challenges, and it could be that the parents need to be there to help them. With that in mind, here are some of the best ways to help your adult children.
Have Open Communication
One of the very best things parents can do for their children at any age, and certainly as they grow into adults, is to make sure the children are aware they can talk to the parents about anything and everything. Keep your communication channels open at all times. Ensuring that you can both have frank and honest discussions about whatever it is you need to talk about is vital. When your child talks to you, make sure you don’t judge and listen carefully before offering advice.
If you can have these open communication channels, your adult child is more likely to come to you when they have a problem, whether it’s something serious like needing drink driving solicitors or something smaller like wanting some dating advice. After all, you can only help if you know what the issue is in the first place.
Financial Guidance
One of the biggest issues many adults have is linked to money. Once they start earning money, it can be hard to deal with it responsibly, especially if they have no major bills to pay and they are still living at home. However, this is a bad habit to get into, and it can lead to some big problems in life. Debt can be debilitating, and it’s an easy thing to get into.
This is why you should offer financial guidance to your adult children. Give them practical help when it comes to budgeting and saving and ensure they understand how to build a strong foundation for their future.
It might be that your adult children have some financial problems and need some help. How you handle this will be your choice, but if you decide to loan them money, make sure you have a proper agreement in place and ensure they pay you back – this will help them be more responsible and help you financially too.
Encourage Independence
It’s hard to let children grow up and be their own person; as a parent, you’ll always want to guide them, and you might have ideas about what they should or should not be doing. When they are children, you can have your say and do things to stop certain behavior or encourage it. However, when your children are adults, you no longer have such control, and that’s a good thing – your children need to learn how to be independent.
To help with this, you need to be encouraging about their choices and help them only when they ask you to. It’s important that they work things out independently and learn from their mistakes, but they also need to know you are there for them when they need you.
Tabitha Brown is coming to NYC! On Tuesday, June 6th. Vegan actress and social media personality Tabitha Brown and McCormick will be hosting the free one-day-only “That’s Your Business” Farmer’s Market pop up from 12:30 PM – 4:00 PM (or until supplies last) at Studio 525 in Chelsea, NYC. Tabitha will be on-site to meet attendees and share all her favorite healthy eating tips and tricks!
The event will be in celebration of the recent launch of five new salt-free, vegan seasoning blends and recipe mixes as part of the McCormick by Tabitha Brown collection and will highlight local produce with family-friendly games and photo moments.
The location is at Studio 525, 525 W 24th Street.
Ailey comes to Times Square for a series of free outdoor dance classes led by Ailey Extension instructors and NYC dance artists. Classes are open to people of all ages and all levels of dance experience!. These dance workshops are presented by Ailey Extension and one will happen today June 2 at 5pm, Broadway & 46th St. The class is Broadway Jazz with Judine Somerville to register click here.
On Wednesday, June 7 at 6pm, at Broadway & 46th St LiveDance /Time: Study III with Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company co-presented with New York Live Arts
Culminating its 40th Anniversary celebration, the world renowned Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company makes its Times Square debut with /Time: Study III. This piéce d’occasion, featuring the outstanding performers of the company and guest musicians, marks the third annual New York Live Arts presentation in Times Square.
The Glorious Corner
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