To the editor:

OK. It is not Halloween time yet in Massachusetts, but a Halloween-scary legislative proposal is now being voted on in Massachusetts making it a criminal act for a parent to stop their child from having a sex change!

Specifically, HB.140 and SB.70 would criminalize “any practice,” including talk therapy and counseling, that encouraged a minor to “change behaviors or gender expressions, or to eliminate or reduce sexual or romantic attractions or feelings toward individuals of the same sex.”

SB.70 even adds a provision labeling this type of treatment “child abuse,” and would expand the states authority to remove children from their homes.

This legislation talks about a child being confused. I don’t know about you, but I as an adult am confused! My confusion is trying to understand what wisdom our legislators have that I don’t have that would make me a criminal to decide who I wanted to counsel my child about anything. Anything! Isn’t this America?

Our Fall River area legislators that have this wisdom are waiting to explain this to you. Our state reps that have this wisdom are Carole Fiola, phone 617-722-2430, and Paul Schmid, phone 617-722-2017. Our senator, who will be voting on this in a few days, is Michael Rodrigues, phone 617-722-1114.

Daryl Gonyon

Fall River

The writer is a former Westport town administrator.