Breaking: New York State Assembly Passes Ban On ‘Ex-Gay’ Therapy

The New York State Assembly has just passed a ban on harmful “therapy” for minors that claims to change them from gay to straight.

New York State may soon join California, New Jersey, and Washington, D.C., after lawmakers in the lower house today passed a bill banning so-called “conversion” therapy for minors. Sponsored by Assemblywoman Deborah Glick, the bill bans all efforts by mental health professionals to change the sexual orientation or gender identity of minors, and makes classifies doing so “professional misconduct.”

The legislation, A04958, is a catalog of statements by over a dozen major medical organizations on the harms of “ex-gay,” “reparative,” or “conversion” therapies, part of the larger group known as sexual orientation change efforts (SOCE).

“Being lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender is not a disease, disorder, illness, deficiency, or shortcoming,” the legislation affirms. “The major professional associations of mental health practitioners and researchers in the United States have recognized this fact for nearly 40 years.”

There is a companion bill in the New York State Senate, sponsored by Brad Hoylman. The Senator earlier this month took the opportunity of President Obama calling for bans on ex-gay therapy to push his legislation again. The president’s call for the ban on conversion therapy for minors was in direct response to a White House petition, pushed over the top by NCRM readers, calling for passage of Leelah’s Law, named for transgender teen Leelah Alcorn.

“What has changed is our political dynamics with the president’s support yesterday for banning state licensed conversion therapy,” Hoylman, a Democrat from Manhattan, told Capital New York earlier this month. “I’m hopeful that that will create the impetus we need to get the bill to the floor.”

It’s uncertain the bill can pass the Senate, and it’s unknown if Governor Cuomo will sign the bill.

 

Related:

Will Obama’s Call For Ban On Harmful ‘Ex-Gay’ Therapy Make It Happen Quicker?

Every American Must See This Historic White House Video: ‘Supporting A Ban On Conversion Therapy’

Obama To Support Total Ban On ‘Ex-Gay’ Therapy For Minors

BIG NEWS: Several States Moving To Ban Harmful ‘Ex-Gay’ Therapy

 

Image by Daniel Gonzales via Flickr and a CC license
Hat tip: Kat Brezler