Page 9 - ALGBTIC News Magazine - Fall 2019

ordinance passed in September 2019, but it is now elected officials rely on their constituents to edu-
looking more like December 2019 or January 2020 cate them more than I realized. In the 30 minute
when it will be voted on. However long you think meetings we schedule with 5 of our 6 county com-
something is going to take, it will take much lon- missioners, we provided leave behind packets and
ger. Someone who we counted as a yes vote and gave them important scientific information that they
who used to be a licensed mental health profession- would have not otherwise gotten. Thirdly, getting
al turned out to be lukewarm at best when we with involved in advocacy is a crash course in how your
her one on one. She agrees with the CT ban, but is local municipal governments work. In terms of prin-
worried about losing votes of constituents who will ciples, processes, and personalities. You will realize
perceive this as an attack on their religious free- how much you don’t know and how complicated
dom. it is to get things done. Being an elected official is
more difficult than I realized.
Two ex-gay Pulse survivors and a national or-
ganization which supports conversation therapy A-NEWS: What have you learned from this pro-
organized an ex-gay “Freedom March” in cess?
downtown Orlando in September 2019. “If Stephanie: Two things. One is to be hum-
They did not specifically say it was in you are not ble and open to learning. Our group has
response to our CT ban efforts, but we invited to the found that the most success has been
feel clear that it was. Also, a private- table, invite focusing on implementing a conversion
ly funded legal organization (Liberty therapy ban for minors, even though we
Counsel) with deep pockets is fighting yourself and would prefer it to be a total ban. Some-
conversion therapy bans in almost every bring a folding times compromise gets you one step
municipality, county, and state where they chair.” forward, even though two would have felt
are being passed. This is the main reason better. The other is that Getting involved in
things are moving so slowly. Every step our local advocacy issues that you are passionate about can
lawmakers take is taken slow and intentional with build your business. An unexpected aspect of my
the expectation that LC will file suit. It feels frus- advocacy work has been an increase in my private
trating that one private organization can wield so practice. People I meet for the first time ask for my
much power. business cards and tell me they know someone who
could benefit from meeting with me.
A-NEWS: How have you been able to overcome
these challenges and bring others into the fight? A-NEWS: You just described yourself as “a lesbian
Stephanie: Connecting with allies who have a on a mission!” What motivates you to be on this
positive reputation in the community has been mission?
extremely important. In Orange County that has Stephanie: Affirmative counseling saved my life
been particularly true of faith leaders. They at- in 1992. When I was in my first year of college and
tended the meetings with our individual county living three hours away from home, I participated in
commissioners and spoke of the importance of the first ever GLB support group at my undergrad-
protecting LGBTGEQIAO+ youth. There has been uate institution. I knew I was gay since age 13 but
lots of cashing in on statements from people who had not come out until age 18. I met other people
said, “Please let me know how I can help” after the like me for the first time in my life. In retrospect, I
Pulse tragedy happened. We have gone back and don’t think I was clinically depressed, just lonely,
asked people to speak up and stand with us. scared, and in need of community. I came out in
college more than 25 years ago in the early 1990’s
A-NEWS: What advice would you offer members during the height of AIDS crisis. I grew up in a
about this type of effort? small Ohio town and attended school at Wright State
Stephanie: First, LANGUAGE MATTERS! We University just a few hours from home. At that time
are now trying to use the phrases “protection for being diagnosed with HIV/AIDS was considered a
minors” and “conversion therapy ordinances” death sentence. The fear of LGBTGEQIAO+ people
instead of “ban on conversion therapy.” Secondly, was exacerbated as a result.