Virginia Regulatory Town Hall
Agency
Department of Health Professions
 
Board
Board of Counseling
 
chapter
Regulations Governing the Practice of Professional Counseling [18 VAC 115 ‑ 20]
Action Unprofessional conduct - conversion therapy
Stage NOIRA
Comment Period Ended on 8/7/2019
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8/7/19  5:31 pm
Commenter: Cathy Ruse, JD

No Gag Rule for Virginia Counselors!
 

 Your proposed regulation bans speech with a certain viewpoint, and allows speech with a different viewpoint. This is a speech ban. It is viewpoint discrimination. You will certainly be sued.

Your ban allows therapists to use words that encourage a minor to embrace transgenderism, but prohibits them from using words that discourage a minor from embracing transgenderism -- even if that child is asking for help to accept his own physical body and biology. How cruel.

Virginians should remain free to choose the counseling of their choice for themselves and their family.

You're not stopping your political opponents with this ban. You're only hurting children. 

CommentID: 75481