Kari Simpson seeks human rights ruling against BC government, BCTF and Murray Corren

In her complaint Simpson states: “The B.C. Ministry of Education has failed to provide funding and access to relevant counseling strategies within the public education system for B.C. students suffering from sexual identity disorders and crisis.

“Sexual re-orientation therapies have helped thousands of individuals to recover from such dysfunctional orientations. It is common and accepted knowledge that sexual identity confusion is often the result of childhood trauma and/or family dysfunction. B.C. students should not be denied access to effective psychological help for such conditions.

“School counselors are being denied the tools to be effective advocates for students in need of sexual re-orientation help, and they should have access to resources and training that will equip them to properly counsel students.”

Ms. Simpson continues: “The B.C. Teachers’ Federation blatantly continues to actively discriminate against students within the B.C. public education system by publishing, promoting and adhering to a policy that denies students important psychological help. BCTF Policy 12.25 states that the BCTF is opposed to:

“(a) using and/or promoting reparative therapies aimed at

changing lesbian, gay or bisexual students’ sexual orientation; and

“(b) referring students to therapists who promote and practice reparative therapy.”

Murray Corren recently published (December 9, 2008) this discriminatory statement on a blog in the Vancouver Sun. He states (under “Your Comments”): “One would hope, of course, that the kind of counselling being offered to students as regards sexual orientation would be supportive, and not intended to ‘cure’ LGBT students. The BCTF has policy which specifically prohibits school counselors from employing ‘reparative therapy’ or referring students for such treatment.”

Simpson goes on to advise the BCHRT that: “The situation is on-going. The Ministry of Education does not provide training or funding to school counselors to effectively help students suffering from dysfunctional sexual orientations whose origins are founded in, or in part result from family dysfunction, trauma and child sexual abuse.

“The BCFT policy discriminates against these students, who need psychological help, by publishing and promoting opposition to such therapy, based on an antiquated and propagandistic view of homosexuality.

“Teachers and counselors should have access to scientific and proven therapies, and should not be ignorant about issues relating to the origins of homosexuality.

“Murray Corren is a gay propagandist, and he is provably aware of some of the factors associated with the origins and factors that contribute to homosexuality; he has admitted that his own childhood experiences compare to identifiers that are common to the family dysfunctions associated with dysfunctional homosexuality. Murray Corren should be prohibited from discriminating against others who are in need of help.”

The remedies Kari Simpson is asking for:

1. That the B.C. Ministry of Education provides funding in the amount of $20,000.00 to a 7-member committee, with Kari Simpson as Chair. Other members to include: two mental health professionals associated with and recognized by NARTH (the National Association for the Research and Therapy of Homosexuality), two parents, a school counselor, and a teacher. This committee will develop a resource guide for school counselors and educators to facilitate a scientific and therapeutic understanding of the issues involved in homosexuality, instead of relying on the gay propaganda that ignores the facts and simply perpetrates the myths associated with ‘gay’ politics and political privilege.

2. Further — this guide will provide a list of agencies and other resources, to ensure that students needing psychological help will not be denied.

3. Further — On-going funding in the amount of $10,000.00 each year to ensure that current training is received and developed within the BC public education system, to help students in need of psychological care associated with sexuality identity confusion and dysfunctional homosexuality.

4. Further — that the BCTF forthwith rescind its policy of opposing re-orientation therapy for those suffering from a dysfunctional sexual orientation.

5. Further — that Murray Warren make a public apology for his socially unjust and harmful comments, and receive sensitivity training; and that he further be made to pay $5000.00 to Kari Simpson for the harm and hurt he has inflicted on those suffering and needing help. Kari Simpson, on behalf of those discriminated against, will use the $5000.00 to purchase important resources for teachers, schools and public libraries that factually debunk the myth and propaganda about gender identity confusion.

When asked by the BCHRT why she is making this complaint, Kari Simpson states:

“It’s to ensure those who are suffering from dysfunctional homosexuality and/or sexual identity confusion and/or other psychologically problematic sexual orientations are not denied help by those who, because of their sexual politics, seek to selfishly, hatefully and ignorantly discriminate against a group of people who would benefit from re-orientation therapy.”