Activists file suit challenging Tennessee counseling law

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Associated Press

Activists file suit challenging Tennessee counseling law

Updated 10:42 pm, Tuesday, June 7, 2016

CLINTON, Tenn. (AP) — Two gay rights activists have filed a lawsuit challenging a new Tennessee law that lets therapists decline to see patients based on religious values and personal principles.

Bleu Copas is an Anderson County man who says he was discharged from the Army under "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." Caleb Laieski is an activist from Virginia. Their lawsuit was filed Tuesday in Anderson County Chancery Court. It claims the new law targets gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people, violating the right to equal treatment guaranteed by the Tennessee Constitution.

Gov. Bill Haslam's spokeswoman, Jennifer Donnals, says the governor's office is unaware of any lawsuits challenging the counseling law and has not seen the Anderson County suit.

The American Counseling Association last month canceled a planned conference in Nashville because of the law.




Read more: http://www.chron.com/news/us/article/Activists-file-suit-challenging-Tennessee-7969327.php

[threethirteen]

1. Do you really want to see a therapist who won't see gay people? Perhaps it is a service.

Last edited Thu Jun 9, 2016, 01:02 PM - Edit history (1)

I mean, you want a therapist on your side right? Sure it is out and out discrimination, but is it harmful when what you are seeking is someone to help you work through the difficulties of your personal life and mental health? Therapists have a profound power to undermine because they gain your trust. If a therapist was all, "I don't see women," I would know to run, not walk away from that therapist because I wouldn't be able to trust them. But the fact that they can't say that makes me weary of therapists. Just sayin'

[Bluenorthwest]

2. So how about other services? If a hotel owner does not want to have guests who are in 'Group X'

is it best to just let that be known so people can avoid the bad service there or do you not license those who refuse service to minority groups? Should a racist really, really be a therapist at all? Should that be the goal, to make all professions safe for those of all bigotries rather than to make all services accessible by all citizens?

How about teachers? I knew a teacher once who really hated 'Group X'. It showed. You suggest that all the Group X students should have been removed from her classroom, not that she should be removed from the student's classroom.

I assume that your theory applies only to LGBT. Of course others must have all access and equality. Right?

[RobinA]

3. That's A Little Different

Hotels are a little less personal than therapy. I am a therapist and I don't have a problem with anyone who comes my way. However, I don't think it services anyone to have people forced to work with people they harbor negative feelings for. As a woman, I certainly don't want a therapist who thinks I'm less because I am a female. I can't necessarily spot that person right off the bat, so I'd rather a person who has a problem with woman not be forced to treat me if I come his way. If I'm a female black therapist, should I have to treat a racist hate-monger dude?

It's fine to say that therapists should not have these prejudices, but they do, that's the reality. My opinion - if a therapist has a problem with a certain group of people they should refer those people to therapists who could better serve them.

Therapy is about what's best for the client, not forced social change.

[Bluenorthwest]

6. So they should be allowed to treat others while telling those others to hate Group X?

You think it is fine for your profession to be able to say 'No blacks' and yet practice? Or is it just the anti gay people who need that freedom to hate?

If they have prejudices functioning like that they are not fit to 'treat' others. If that profession is allowed to discriminate for the 'good of those they hate' then why don't other professions? I say if you don't want to or can't serve the public, you have no right to open a public service.

And do you hear what you say? 'If the therapist is bigoted, they should refer to a non bigot'. So you really think anti gay bigots should be trusted to make such referrals? It think they should not have a license.

[threethirteen]

8. do you honestly believe that a therapist doesn't take their prejudices into the room with them?

[Ilsa]

10. I hear what you're saying. Therapists, even Marriage/family

Therapists sometimes have real biases. I was shocked to hear a former MFT complain about her clients. I don't understand why she thought she could erase decades of dysfunctional thinking and history and expect them to change overnight. My guess is she's treating trophy wives and their families right now.

[threethirteen]

7. no. I am specifically talking about therapists.

You don't tell a hotelier your most intimate details like a therapist.

[Tanuki]

4. Such a person has no business being a "therapist". A professional license is a privilege, and not

everyone has the requisite emotional and/or intellectual skills. This type of bigotry should be weeded out in the process of selecting and training candidates for the profession. It is not in the public interest to allow people to discriminate like this and it cannot be tolerated any more than discrimination in any type of public accommodation.

[Nitram]

5. While I am totally against disctimination against gays in any way, if I were

gay I would be glad to know if a counselor was biased so I could avoid them. No counselor could do a decent job if they are biased. And they should lose their license to practice!

[forest444]

9. Y'all just don't understand the Deep South.

This is basically an invitation to extort said therapists.

Any therapist that, being now able to refuse service to anyone on a whim, agrees to see a (known) gay patient, will be ostracized by their own community faster than can you say 'heart of Dixie'.

Every community in that part of the country (and, frankly, a lot of others) has a veritable army of gossipy church ladies. They'll see to that.