As adopted by LAMA State Committee, June 2019.

Resolution:

WHEREAS, the Libertarian Party asserts that all individuals have the right
to exercise sole dominion over their own lives, and have the right to live
in whatever manner they choose, so long as they do not forcibly interfere
with the equal right of others to live in whatever manner they choose;

WHEREAS, although children have not reached sufficient maturity to be the
full custodian of their rights which are temporarily entrusted to their
parents or guardians, their rights to bodily integrity and intimate
personal identification, are inalienable and coerced action that would
fundamentally deny these rights is abusive;

WHEREAS, parents, or other
guardians, have the right to raise their children according to their own
standards and beliefs, provided that the rights of children to be free from
abuse and neglect are also protected;

WHEREAS, conversion therapy has been
used in the past as a form of punishment for homosexuality and gender
identity which does not conform to traditional expectations; and the rights
to gender and sexual identity are fundamental rights;

WHEREAS, this
conversion therapy has its roots in unethical treatment used since the 70's
in issues such as drug use, psychiatric disorders, and learning
disabilities, that describe humiliation, sleep deprivation, sexual abuse,
starvation, and isolation as "treatment techniques", which in any other
area are considered torture or cruel and unusual punishment;

WHEREAS,
children are often subjected to this type of therapy against their will,
even by loving and well-intentioned parents who are unaware that the
methods used in conversion therapy are extremely forceful and abusive, and
that any therapy similar to this has been shown to result in suicide
attempts by 20% of these patients: a five-fold increase in the risk of
suicide attempts compared to other teens;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that
the Libertarian Party of Massachusetts opposes so-called conversion therapy as fraudulent
and abusive, and opposes its protection or funding by federal or state
governments;

FURTHER, BE IT RESOLVED, the Libertarian Party of Massachusetts opposes
subjecting unwilling participants through force or coercion, especially
children, to any therapy that violates the non-aggression principle through
any method that would be considered abuse or torture.