Copyright Boulder Daily Camera
‘Conversion therapy’ is cruelty worth preventing The U.S. Supreme Court recently heard Salazar v. Chiles, a case challenging Colorado’s law enacted to protect young people from the so-called practice of “conversion therapy.” At its core, that law is about one thing: keeping kids safe from this discredited practice. The American Psychological Association is crystal clear. The practice is based on the false idea that being LGBTQ+ is something that needs to be fixed. Furthermore, “conversion therapy” doesn’t work; it causes real harm and the APA supports laws that protect minors from it. The American Academy of Pediatrics agrees that kids deserve evidence-based care, not dangerous experiments disguised as therapy. Behind the science are real families who have learned the hard way. Parents who thought they were helping their kids instead watched their child suffer upon subjecting them to this cruelty. These practices don’t just harm LGBTQ+ youth; they tear at families and communities alike. Upholding Colorado’s law means protecting families and giving every child the chance to grow up healthy, supported and loved for who they are. By hearing this case, the Supreme Court has the opportunity to affirm what most of us already know: protecting children from harm should never be controversial. Kids deserve care, not cruelty. Families deserve connection, not division. Make your voice heard — tell your elected representatives and Colorado’s Attorney General that you stand with families and support laws that keep our kids safe. Colorado got this one right. It’s time for the nation to recognize this and to do the same. Neil Fishman, Boulder How can a town like Boulder have such crummy streets? Thank you, Jan Burton, for your thoughtful commentary. Finally, someone said it! As I drive (and cycle) around Boulder, I’m always asking myself, “How can a wealthy town like Boulder have such crummy streets?” Where did all the money go? Seriously, where is it? We need to re-prioritize how we are spending taxes and fees. City and county work for us as taxpayers. We need transparency and accountability. Fix the streets, please! Oh, and could you plow them as well when it snows in the winter? Don’t get me started. Michael Barsch, Boulder Redeploying carriers can place troops in a legal twilight zone As longtime Lafayette residents, we care deeply about how our nation uses power and how our values shape policy. We were concerned to read reports that the U.S. has moved a major Navy carrier group from the Mediterranean to the Caribbean for a counter-narcotics mission. Such moves carry moral weight: they reshape alliances, risk escalation, and can place our troops in a legal twilight zone. This deployment sends strong signals to NATO and to Ukraine that America may be abandoning our long-standing commitments to them. We urge our congressional delegation to demand transparency and respect for constitutional limits before deploying our armed forces inside Venezuela. The president can move ships, but using lethal force for open-ended missions requires oversight. Congress and the public deserve a clear explanation of the objectives, mission limits and compliance with the War Powers Resolution. Responsible power and clear accountability keep both democracy and peace strong. Judy and John McGoogan, Lafayette
