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U.S. NEWS Friday 13 September 2019

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New York City looks to repeal ‘gay conversion therapy’ ban

By DEEPTI HAJELA Council Speaker Corey tee hearing, scheduled for
Associated Press Johnson introduced the re- next week, and then would
NEW YORK (AP) — A New peal in what he called “a have a vote in the full coun-
York City law banning painful decision.” cil and, if it is passed, would
so-called gay conver- The council had passed the be signed by the mayor.
sion therapy would be re- ban against the widely dis- “After intense deliberation,
pealed under legislation credited practice, which the council concluded
introduced Thursday over aims to change a person’s that it was best to take this
concerns that a pending sexual orientation or gen- drastic step,” Johnson said
federal lawsuit could lead der identity, less than two in a statement. “The courts
to a decision unfavorable years ago, at the end of have changed consider-
to the LGBTQ community if 2017, and it took effect last ably over the last few years,
the case were to make it to year. The proposed repeal and we cannot count on
the Supreme Court. now goes to a commit- them to rule in favor of
much-needed protections
Sheriff: 2 from for the LGBTQ community. In this Nov. 10, 2014 file photo, New York City Councilman Corey
To be clear, this alleged
Johnson speaks at a hearing in New York.
Associated Press
Netherlands arrested therapy is barbaric and pushed back against the
inhumane, but repealing speech between a thera-
inside U.S. security site this law seemed to be the pist and client. Alliance Se- idea that it was vulnerable
nior Counsel Roger Brooks only because of a more
best path forward.” The Al-
liance Defending Freedom said that if the repeal goes conservative Supreme
By KEN RITTER al Security Site, authorities had filed a federal lawsuit through, the organiza- Court. “It’s not so much a
Associated Press said. over ban in January on be- tion would “commend the political issue as well-es-
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Two men They were at least 20 miles half of a therapist in Brook- move.” He called the law tablished First Amendment
from the Netherlands who (32.2 kilometers) from Area lyn, saying it violated free “really quite extreme” and law,” he said.q
said they wanted to post 51.
internet video of the once- Boruchowitz said the men
secret Area 51 military base were released Thursday on
in Nevada were arrested $500 bail with no order to
on suspicion of trespassing remain in the U.S. ahead of
onto a secure U.S. govern- scheduled court appear-
ment reservation, sheriff’s ances Monday.
officials said Thursday. Records did not reflect
Govert Charles Wilhelmus if they had attorneys to
Jacob Savage and Ties speak for them.
Granzier told Nye County Sheriff’s deputies said Sav-
sheriff’s deputies they were age and Granzier had
in the remote area to at- a drone, computer and
tend events next week camera equipment and
near the once top-secret acknowledged they disre-
U.S. Air Force test area garded “No Trespassing”
known in popular lore as a signs.
site for government studies The site is a U.S. Department
of space aliens. of Energy reservation that is
“That’s why they said they part of a vast government
were here,” Nye Coun- tract in central Nevada. It is
ty Sheriff’s Capt. David separate from Area 51.
Boruchowitz said. The Air Force has posted
Area 51 is the focus of warnings that people who
events next weekend in the try to enter the Nellis Air
tiny towns of Rachel and Force Base bombing range
Hiko inspired by a Face- surrounding Area 51 will be
book post inviting people arrested.
to “see them aliens.” The land surrounding the
Savage, 21, and Granzier, range is “austere desert,
20, were arrested Tues- with little to no life-sustain-
day on the misdemeanor ing services like water,
charges after they were food, gas or medical cen-
found in a car near a gate ters,” Nellis spokesman Nick
inside the Nevada Nation- Janeway said.q