COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.—Throughout much of 2018, the Dobson Policy Center and many other family policy organizations have been strongly opposed to AB 2943, a California bill intended to classify all forms of gender or sexual orientation therapy done in exchange for a fee as “consumer fraud.” The statute would have applied to all individuals in all life stages, including consenting adults who wish to address unwanted same-sex attraction or to abstain from same-sex behavior. Since AB 2943 first passed through both chambers of California’s state legislature, many feared the bill’s potential chilling effect on freedom of speech and the free exercise of religion. Since the bill would have designated the sale of all “goods and services” as consumer fraud, AB 2943 could have prohibited the sale or dissemination of many Christian books if they espoused traditional beliefs about human sexuality, marriage and gender, including perhaps, even the Bible. Because of this, the James Dobson Family Institute encouraged faith-based, concerned citizens to actively fight against AB 2943 being signed into law.
Dr. James Dobson issues the following statement on behalf of the James Dobson Family Institute, welcoming today’s news that the bill’s author, Assemblymember Evan Low, has decided to withdraw the bill rather than send it to the governor for his signature. The decision comes after Low traveled the state and spoke directly with many of its faith leaders, pastors, and Christian counselors:
“I am very grateful to all of the pastors, counselors, and our families in California and across the country who spoke up and made their voices heard. It is incumbent on us to make sure we still have the right to make the best mental health decisions for our children, our loved ones, and ourselves and that parental rights are protected now and for generations to come.”
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Dr. James Dobson is a celebrated Christian leader, author and psychologist, earning his Ph.D. from the University of Southern California in the field of child development with a minor in research design. He is the founder and president of Family Talk and the James Dobson Family Institute, a nonprofit organization that produces his daily radio program, “Dr. James Dobson’s Family Talk.” In 2008, Dr. Dobson was inducted into The National Radio Hall of Fame. Follow him @DrJamesCDobson
The James Dobson Family Institute is dedicated to preserving the biblical institutions of marriage and family by encouraging, inspiring, supporting, and leading parents and children to build their lives on God’s Word.JDFI’s mission is driven by Dr. James Dobson’s legacy of serving families with broadcasts, videos, articles, leadership training, and policy advocacy to ensure the next generation of families are equipped to stand firm with answers to life’s most difficult questions.
