There was a demonstration in Washington, D.C. on Saturday, May 5.
The intent of the “Freedom March” was to exhibit fundamentalist Christian doctrine, and to argue for the idea that religious belief could sweep away “homosexual/transgender lifestyles.”
There was one problem–the size. Only an estimated 36 people showed up. The highest count given was 50.
Those were the attendance numbers for “ex-trans” and “ex-gay” activists in the small Washington get-together. The event was organized by a group calling itself “Voice of the Voiceless.” Several speakers gave their testimonials before an enthralled crowd of literally tens of people.
The group claims that “ex-gay” individuals are unfairly stigmatized by society. VOTV argues for the aggressive use of conversion “therapy” for LGBTQ people who voluntarily wish to “change” their orientation.
According to Hornet.com, “The event was primarily attended by former transgender, bisexual, lesbian and gay men and women. Luis Javier Ruiz, a survivor of the June 2016 massacre at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida, was one of them. Ruiz no longer identifies as gay and promoted his decision to attend the event on Facebook.”
Julie Rogers, an LGBTQ advocate who endured conversion “therapy,” wrote a column in the New York Times before the march:
“The numbers of minors exposed to some form of conversion therapy is already staggering: In January, the Williams Institute at the University of California, Los Angeles, School of Law released a report that estimates that 57,000 youths between 13 and 17 will receive conversion therapy from religious advisers before the age of 18 and 20,000 will receive conversion therapy from a licensed mental health professional before the age of 18 in the 40 states that still allow it.”
The scientific community has argued against the efficacy and morality of conversion “therapy.” The practice is banned for use on minors in ten states.