The days of fighting for equality are over, they have been for a long while. Most social justice causes today are fighting for the right to be special, to be amazing and to remain different – not equal. The new government bill banning conversion therapy is a good example of this trend. It aims to offer protection from something that does not exist, except in the minds of those who put feelings over facts.
Equality is not enough for the special people, they must demand more and more. Feminism has been doing this for decades, yet women report being more unhappy with life as decades go by. Ironically, the feminist demand for more has led to the unintended consequence of losing single-sex spaces. Sometimes people should accept when they have won and enjoy the fruits of their victory. Instead of seeking a new battle to fight in a never-ending war of woke progressivism.
Conversion therapy was practised in the 1950s when gay men were forced, coerced or volunteered for state-sanctioned treatment to cure them of homosexuality. It was not easy being gay in this era, it was a different time, being gay was illegal and frowned upon. I am not arguing if this was right or wrong, it was the law of the land. All laws are ultimately enforced through tyranny. Laws can change over time and in 1967 homosexuality was decriminalised in England. No one can force anyone into treatment today to change their sexuality. We have laws that deal with coercion, assault and freedom of expression. The only attempted conversion taking place now are religious people praying and asking God to intervene.
We live in a society today where you can be anyone you wish to be, do anything you want to do, as long as it does not break the law. Society has changed so much that we now have LGBT month, Pride events, rainbow crossings, and even LGBT sandwiches. Every major organisation supports the LGBT community, even the police push their aims and agenda. The idea that we need an anti-conversion therapy law is preposterous.
If you want to rub marmite into the toes of someone whilst dressed as Tony The Tiger, then you can, if consent is given. But if someone else thinks it is harmful or the condiment should be marmalade, then they should have the right to talk others out of using this orange jam. This really is the debate.
If people have the right to do what they wish, then others have the right to disagree and make their opinion known. They even have the right to try to persuade others to change their mind. Is this not what religions do? Political parties do? Mobile phone companies do?
If you do not want your child to be gay, a socialist, or a vegan, then you have the right to influence and persuade. Obviously, not beat, punish or torture – this is illegal. If you believe someone is literally going to hell for being gay, then you have the religious freedom to try to save their soul. Of course, no one has to listen to a word you say or take any notice of your ramblings. But the fact we allow you to speak is called religious tolerance.
We need to be tolerant of all opinions, especially the ones we disagree with. I do not know anyone, including gay people, who think we need this law. Gay people do not need special protection for they are not in any specific danger. They are more than capable of figuring out their sexuality and choices in life.
So, who wants this ban? The woke lunatics of course! Who else would it be? Like nearly all LGBT causes, this is not about homosexuals anymore, but the Trans and Queer community. The idea behind this ban was to stop the questioning of individuals who say they are Trans or Queer, in case they realise they are not. A big stick was needed to scare professionals so they would affirm the identity of all who present as Trans or Queer.
Unfortunately for the woke, the gender identity issue is now more political. The current government is slowly moving away from decades of involvement in wokery. A few weeks ago, they ejected the Trans and Queer part of the bill - the main reason for its existence. The woke screams were heard far and wide. They now feel let down by the government and in a way, they have been. But I am also not happy - the whole bill should be binned and forgotten about. It is not wanted nor needed.
Let us remember the shouts of every woke lunatic: 'equality'. This word does not mean the world changes to suit you, it just means you are treated as poorly as everyone else. It confirms you are not a special case unless we go down the road of Animal Farm and elevate some to be more equal than others.
We need to get back to living without the constant moaning of 'so called' minority groups who demand special treatment and status. And most of all, we need to get back to the government not interfering in our private lives. Remember those days?