Asian Faith Communities Against Conversion Therapy 亞洲教會和團契代表聯署反對拗直治療
English:
I am reaching out to invite you to sign a special petition from inclusive churches to stand against conversion therapy and similar practices.
Our representation alone is not enough and this is why we need your help to sign this petition. We want to bring global attention to this area and expand your unique ministries, beyond Christianity and across all faiths to support the LGBTQ community and more.
Sign form here:
Why?
Although progress in civil rights for the LGBTQ has been impressive in European countries and North America, the momentum for Asia is still catching up. A recently published report by Outright International points out the challenges and the spread of conversion therapy and related practices in Asia. These include but not limited to marriages of convenience and involuntary sexual encounters. (https://www.outrightinternational.org/content/pioneering-report-exposes-global-reach-so-called-conversion-therapy)
Differences in culture, values and the lack of funding in this area contribute to the difficulty in bringing an effective dialogue and academic research. Hard evidence is needed to convince state actors and the general public in Asia that conversion therapy is unscientific and abusing public health resources.
The Asian public retains a strong perception that LGBTQ is a behavior that requires correction. They are not aware of the irreparable harm conversion therapy has done to our community.
To bring attention to this topic, we need more countries and LGBTQ communities like yours to recognize this problem.
Why the faith community?
The strongest opposition running these programs and influencing public opinions are conservative Christian groups. Scripture is being used to frame the LGBTQ community in shame and justify the use of conversion therapy.
Not only is this a narrow reading of the Christian faith, but it also strays far from the message of peace and respect that many mature religions embrace. This is where the interfaith movement can shine and advocate for the common values of all inclusive faiths built on the foundations of justice, peace, and equality.
We have the power and every right to recognize the diversity and beauty of ourselves and all others who are oppressed and afraid to proclaim their own identity.
Transform the use of scriptures and teachings from a tool to attack others into words that encourage true faith, love, and justice to grow inside and around us.
Mould a new generation of inclusive faith identity in Asia. Just like we embrace our diverse identities, the world needs to hear your voice and recognize that not all Christians think alike. Similarly, no single perspective can represent the whole religion regardless of the faith we pursue.
This is the culture with which we lead the world.
Next steps
BMCC has been in contact with the head of Advocacy, Sam Brinton at TREVOR Project in USA and this petition will be used to present his findings to the United Nations near the end of this year. Trevor Project has been supporting many initiatives to outlaw conversion therapy in the States. Sam is eager to learn about our challenges in Asia and see how the global community can help.
BMCC will personally invite all signing organizations and churches to a conference call on September 23rd Monday 8pm to 9pm Hong Kong time.
Chinese Traditional:
大家好，我是香港基恩之家社會公義事工代表 Alan.
我想邀請亞洲各國的教會和團契代表聯署反對任何形式的性傾向矯正療法（或稱拗直治療 Conversion Therapy）或任何企圖改變性傾向的服務。
為什麼？
歐美多個心理學組織早已齊聲譴責性傾向矯正療法，但亞洲的情況仍然停留在起步階段。 近日Outright International 的報告就指出性傾向矯正療法、形婚、逼婚等事情在亞洲仍然盛行。(https://www.outrightinternational.org/content/pioneering-report-exposes-global-reach-so-called-conversion-therapy)
縱使爭取反對性傾向矯正療法的運動在歐美已經有一定成果，但在亞洲，運動仍然面對很大阻力。
不過我們相信，縱然每一個亞洲國家也有其獨特的文化和歷史，人們因為不了解同志生命、同志父母渴望透過性傾向矯正療法來保護孩子的心態都是一樣的。對未來的恐懼、發現同志身份時的徬徨、和對父母的愧疚深入每一位尋求矯正治療者的內心，使他們不昔冒險，也希望能免去在被誤解歧視的社會中渡過一生。
遺憾的是，從來沒有研究證明性傾向矯正療法能改變任何人的性傾向；更多接受過矯正療法的人更陷入嚴重抑鬱和自殺的困局之中。
今日提供性傾向矯正療法服務的商人或宗教領袖都透過蠶食各方恐懼從中獲利，他們甚至濫用公共資源提供服務。此情況卻從未被大幅報導。
有見及此，要培養擁抱多元的文化，除了要有在地的媒體積極關注狀況外，更必須透過引起國際輿論來引起社會關注。
與我們的信仰有什麼關係？
某些保守基督教群體現今還是支持性傾向矯正療法最大的動力。 他們以聖經作為壓抑小眾的工具，聲稱扭曲人性乃為主的心意，以此推動矯正療法。
但我們知道，神的多元、酷兒基督才是性小眾基督徒的福音。
我們知道聖經是助人建立對神真正的信心的福音，教導我們愛神和愛鄰如己。
世界需要聽到這一把真正擁抱包容大愛的聲音，打破被保守基督徒壟斷發言的局面。
下一步
基恩之家一直與美國的Trevor Project 緊密聯繫。 Trevor Project 近年在美國成功在多個州推動立法禁止性傾向矯正療法，並有意協助推動亞洲的事工。他們的 Head of Advocacy, Sam Brinton 今年年底會在聯合國發表性小眾的最新狀況，並呼籲國際社會關注性傾向矯正療法在亞洲蔓延的情況。
我們相信教會事工必不停留於基督體內，參與社會事務亦是作光作鹽的重要一環。
基恩之家稍後會逐一聯絡願意簽署的教會及聯絡人，然後邀請各位作進一步討論。面談會議將會在九月二十三晚香港時間8到9時以網上會議形式舉行。
我們期望你的回郵，和日後的合作機會，共作主工。
Chinese Simplified:
大家好，我是香港基恩之家社会公义事工代表 Alan.
我想邀请亚洲各国的教会和团契代表联署反对任何形式的性倾向矫正疗法（或称拗直治疗 Conversion Therapy）或任何企图改变性倾向的服务。
为什么？
欧美多个心理学组织早已齐声谴责性倾向矫正疗法，但亚洲的情况仍然停留在起步阶段。近日Outright International 的报告就指出性倾向矫正疗法、形婚、逼婚等事情在亚洲仍然盛行。 (https://www.outrightinternational.org/content/pioneering-report-exposes-global-reach-so-called-conversion-therapy)
纵使争取反对性倾向矫正疗法的运动在欧美已经有一定成果，但在亚洲，运动仍然面对很大阻力。
不过我们相信，纵然每一个亚洲国家也有其独特的文化和历史，人们因为不了解同志生命、同志父母渴望透过性倾向矫正疗法来保护孩子的心态都是一样的。对未来的恐惧、发现同志身份时的彷徨、和对父母的愧疚深入每一位寻求矫正治疗者的内心，使他们不昔冒险，也希望能免去在被误解歧视的社会中渡过一生。
遗憾的是，从来没有研究证明性倾向矫正疗法能改变任何人的性倾向；更多接受过矫正疗法的人更陷入严重抑郁和自杀的困局之中。
今日提供性倾向矫正疗法服务的商人或宗教领袖都透过蚕食各方恐惧从中获利，他们甚至滥用公共资源提供服务。此情况却从未被大幅报导。
有见及此，要培养拥抱多元的文化，除了要有在地的媒体积极关注状况外，更必须透过引起国际舆论来引起社会关注。
与我们的信仰有什么关系？
某些保守基督教群体现今还是支持性倾向矫正疗法最大的动力。他们以圣经作为压抑小众的工具，声称扭曲人性乃为主的心意，以此推动矫正疗法。
但我们知道，神的多元、酷儿基督才是性小众基督徒的福音。
我们知道圣经是助人建立对神真正的信心的福音，教导我们爱神和爱邻如己。
世界需要听到这一把真正拥抱包容大爱的声音，打破被保守基督徒垄断发言的局面。
下一步
基恩之家一直与美国的Trevor Project 紧密联系。 Trevor Project 近年在美国成功在多个州推动立法禁止性倾向矫正疗法，并有意协助推动亚洲的事工。他们的 Head of Advocacy, Sam Brinton 今年年底会在联合国发表性小众的最新状况，并呼吁国际社会关注性倾向矫正疗法在亚洲蔓延的情况。
我们相信教会事工必不停留于基督体内，参与社会事务亦是作光作盐的重要一环。
基恩之家稍后会逐一联络愿意签署的教会及联络人，然后邀请各位作进一步讨论。面谈会议将会在九月二十三晚香港时间8到9时以网上会议形式举行。
我们期望你的回邮，和日后的合作机会，共作主工。
Signed Organizations / 已簽署：
China, Beijing, fellowship
China, Shenzhen, fellowship
Hong Kong, Blessed Ministry Community Church 基恩之家
Hong Kong, Society of True Light 真光社
Hong Kong, Student Christian Movement 香港基督徒學生運動
Hong Kong, Planet Ally
Hong Kong, Queer Theology Academy
Taiwan, Hesed Association 台灣好世協會
Taiwan, Tong-Kwang Light House Presbyterian Church 同光同志長老教會
Taiwan, True Light Gospel Church 真光福音教會
Philippines, Open Table Metropolitan Community Church
Philippines, Baguio City Northern Sanctuary MCC
Singapore, Free Community Church
Malaysia, Good Samaritan Kuala Lumpur GSKL
Myanmar, Colors Rainbow
Delhi, India, The Queer Muslim Project
Geneva Switzerland, Global Interfaith Network GIN-SSOGIE
