Understandably, Concerned Women for America (CWA) of California is opposed to AB 2943, which prohibits free speech, a serious First Amendment infringement, on matters pertaining to sexual orientation and gender identity.
AB 2943 also violates First Amendment religious freedoms by targeting traditional/conservative beliefs. Biblical principles would be considered fraudulent and illegal. The implications may extend beyond patient/therapist relationships and into pastoral counseling, book sales, events involving the topics of sexual orientation and gender identity and more. It could possibly force Christian counselors out of business and prevent individuals from seeking desired help.
All Californians must be free to live, to counsel and seek counsel, to write and to read books, according to their faith without fear of government intervention or penalty.
AB 2943 will make it illegal for professionals or anyone accepting funds (including church counselors) to offer insights to individuals seeking counsel for unwanted attractions. This bill is intended to stifle any speech, even when solicited, that may be perceived as influential with regard to sexual orientation change efforts.
In my official letter of opposition to the state legislators, as State Director, I stated, “The cornerstone of a patient/therapist relationship has always been that the patient sets the goals of the therapy. The patient approaches the relationship with a desire to change something they have selected.”
If AB 2943 passes, the patient will no longer be able to go to a therapist and work through reaching a goal of being heterosexual. The state government is on shaky ground when they tell individuals that “they cannot accomplish what they want to do.”
This piece of legislation goes far beyond the government’s role and completely outside the guarantees afforded our citizens by the Constitution.
Californians must be free to choose! AB 2943 substitutes the government for the freedom of personal choice.
Status: AB 2943 was passed in the California State Assembly on April 19 and is now in the Senate. It is in both the Senate Judiciary Committee and the Senate Appropriations Committee. A hearing date has not been set in either committee as of yet.
Take Action:
- Contact the members of the Senate Judiciary Committee and ask them to oppose AB 2943. Be sure to let them know that you are a member of Concerned Women for America of California.
- Contact the members of the Senate Appropriations Committee and ask them to oppose AB 2943. Be sure to let them know that you are a member of Concerned Women for America of California.
- Contact your senator and ask him/her to oppose this dangerous bill, AB 2943. Click here to find out who your senator is and how to contact him/her. Be sure to let your senator know that you are a member of Concerned Women for America of California.
Please pray for California senators, that their eyes are open to the severity of this bill. May their hearts be changed to vote “NO” on AB 2439.
“The LORD also will be a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.”
(Psalm 9:9)
Marlo Tucker
State Director
CWA of California
director@california.cwfa.org
ca.cwfa.org