LGBTQ news and entertainment
The state House of Colorado has passed legislation that would ban so-called “ex-gay” therapy for minors by a vote of 35 – 29.
One Republican, Rep. Daniel Thurlow of Grand Junction, joined all House Democrats in passing the bill.
The bill now moves to the Republican-controlled state Senate where passage could face a steeper climb.
As Oklahoma sees legislation move forward today which would prohibit regulating “ex-gay therapy” in the state, three other states could soon join California, New Jersey and the District of Columbia in outlawing so-called “conversion”therapy that seeks to change the sexual orientation or gender identity of LGBT youth.
Lawmakers in Colorado, Iowa and Oregon are all considering legislation that would ban would conversion therapy on patients under the age of 18.
Studies show that conversion therapy is not successful, and in many cases has been shown to be detrimental to the point of suicide for some.
The National Center for Lesbian Rights sends this press release regarding the District of Columbia Council which has unanimously approved a bill that will protect lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth from the discredited and torturous practice of conversion therapy, also known as “ex-gay” therapy:
When signed into law, Washington, D.C. will become the third jurisdiction—behind California and New Jersey—to pass legislation protecting LGBT youth from practices that are known to cause severe depression and even suicide.
“Today, the DC Council sent a powerful message to LGBT youth and their families that they are accepted, supported, and loved,” said Samantha Ames, NCLR staff attorney and coordinator of the #BornPerfect campaign at the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR).
“The Council has used its authority to protect our most vulnerable youth from dangerous and discredited pseudoscience that tells them who they are is wrong, and reaffirmed the consensus of every major medical and mental health organization that all children are born perfect, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.”
A federal appeals court ruled Thursday to uphold New Jersey’s law prohibiting medical professionals in the state from practicing gay conversion therapy, or efforts to turn gay people straight, on people under the age of 18.
The 3rd Circuit Circuit Court of Appeals has affirmed a November 2013 ruling that found the state’s law, called A3371, which prohibits medical professionals in the state from practicing “gay conversion” therapy, or efforts to turn gay people straight, on people under the age of 18, as constitutional.
The appeals court agreed with the prior court ruling that the plaintiffs’ arguments don’t trump the state’s ability to enact laws regulating professionals, including medical and mental health providers.
The American Psychological Association, the American Psychiatric Association, and the Pan American Health Organization have all warned that these “therapies” can be harmful to minors. In addition, all agree there is no evidence “conversion therapy” is actually effective.
Last year, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals made a similar ruling upholding California’s statewide ban on conversion therapy for minors.
New Jersey and California are the only two states that currently have such laws.
Mathew Shurka shares the story of his journey from “ex-gay therapy” to a place of honesty and authenticity.
After years of being subjected to “conversion therapy” by his father, a five minute conversation with his dad allowed Mathew to forgive his father and finally begin to live his life fully.
I’m From Driftwood aims to help lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people learn more about their community, straight people learn more about their neighbors and everyone learn more about themselves through the power of storytelling and storysharing.
Washington state’s House of Representatives has passed legislation that would ban ‘gay conversion therapy’ for minors by health care providers.
From the AP:
House Bill 2451, which passed on a 94-4 vote, would make it an act of unprofessional conduct to try to change the sexual orientation of a patient under 18.
That would include efforts to change behaviors, gender expressions or to reduce sexual or romantic attractions toward people of the same sex.
The lawmakers who opposed the measure were: Reps. Mark Hargrove, R-Covington; Brad Klippert, R-Kennewick; Jason Overstreet, R-Lynden; and Elizabeth Scott, R-Monroe.
Hot on the heels of California and New Jersey, Pennsylvania may find itself the next state to outlaw so-called “gay conversion therapy.”
Reps. Brian Sims and Gerald Mullery announced today that they plan a bipartisan bill in the House and Senator Anthony Williams has introduced a similar bill in the Senate, the AP reports.
Said Sims at a press conference today:
“Just last month, New Jersey’s Republican governor and Democratic legislature worked together to ban this practice. The governor there cited ‘a litany of potential ill effects of trying to change sexual orientation, including depression and suicide.’ California has also passed a similar law. Pennsylvania children deserve the same protection.
It’s been 40 years since the American Psychological Association excluded homosexuality from being classified as a mental disorder, and the APA has published studies showing that patients younger than 18 suffer from a multitude of harmful effects associated with this so-called therapy, including withdrawal and suicidal thoughts. It’s time to protect Pennsylvania children from this quackery that can inflict years of harm for those who manage to survive it.”
Chris Geidner at Buzzfeed has the news:
A federal appeals court Thursday upheld California’s ban on therapy aimed at changing minors’ sexual orientation.
In a unanimous decision of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, the law — the first of its kind in the country — was upheld as being within the legislature’s authority to pass. Parents wishing to employ such therapy with their children and professionals who employ “sexual orientation change effort” therapy.
New Jersey last week became the second state in the country to pass such a law.
The three-judge panel that heard the appeal of California’s law considered both free speech claims brought by the practitioners, associational claims brought by the parties, and claims about parents’ rights to raise their children. The judges found the law violated none of these provisions.
