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Christian Voice Blocked in New Conversion Therapy Laws

by | Fri, Jan 31 2020

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A significant issue is currently developing in Queensland around new conversion therapy laws and it looks really suspicious.

The Queensland government is preparing to table a Bill that will outlaw any therapy for gender dysphoric children – children who believe that they were born in the wrong gendered body.

Jail sentences are being proposed for any therapist who does not obey the rules.

The definition of a therapist is likely to extend beyond medical practitioners to psychologists, psychiatrists, counsellors of all types – including pastors and school chaplains.

Queensland Parliament House
Photo: Shutterstock.com

Verbal submissions are being held on the 7th of February regarding the Bill and the National Chair of the Christian Medical and Dental Fellowship of Australia, Professor John Whitehall, has requested the opportunity to make a submission as a qualified paediatrician who has conducted extensive studies and written extensively regarding gender dysphoria.

However, he has been denied the opportunity to give his verbal submission.

Professor John Whitehall joined Neil Johnson on Vision Christian Radio’s 20Twenty program to discuss this seemingly sneaky move by the Queensland government.

“Let’s be generous and say [this Bill] is being done with the best of intentions and recognition of the suffering that’s involved in these children’s lives and indeed their families,” John shares.

Professor John Whitehall
Professor John Whitehall

“I have to confess that it does look a little bit rushed.  The Bill was put on the last day of Parliament with public submissions closed just after Christmas when everyone was distracted.  And now next week is the personal presentation of submissions.”

“Certainly I am told that the submission I made on behalf of the CMDFA was one of the most extensive and well-referenced ones.  Considering I’m probably the only paediatrician available to talk on the matter, that I’m not yet invited [to talk on the matter] is disappointing.”

There will be doctors appearing and making verbal submissions that are likely to be far less qualified than Professor Whitehall, evidenced by the contents of their written submissions.  But John is being denied to also speak at the hearing.

“I don’t think anyone knows who has been invited to speak personally, but I’m not aware that any other paediatrician has been invited to put forward the counter argument, and that’s the issue.”

Professor Whitehall’s submission was made on CMDFA letterhead with the word ‘Christian’ on it but he says, “there was no theological mention whatsoever in the submission that we wrote.  It was a very serious document, looking at the fact that most children who have gender confusion get better by themselves through puberty.”

“Puberty blockers, contrary to the regular statement that they are safe and entirely reversible, is not true.   We pointed to international research on the sustained ill effects side.  We are saying that the cross-sex hormones are not without significant effect.”

“We point to research that shows when you put a male brain on estragon, it shrinks at a rate ten times faster than aging after only four months.  And these children that are being ushered to the opposite sex are given [these hormones] at a time of great brain growth in adolescence and they’re on it for life.  And they don’t mention these side effects.”

Continue listening to Neil’s full conversation with Professor John Whitehall in the podcast below.

Tune into 20Twenty and join the conversation with Neil Johnson, weekdays on Vision Christian Radio. Click here for your local times.

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Images via Shutterstock.