Breaking: Illinois Passes Ban On Conversion Therapy For Minors – Will GOP Governor Sign It?
Illinois lawmakers have just completed passaged on an important ban on sexual orientation change therapy for minors. What happens now?
The Illinois Senate has just passed legislation banning the practice of conversion therapy on minors, and the bill, having already passed the House, now heads to Governor Bruce Rauner’s desk.
BULLETIN: VICTORY in the Illinois Senate! The bill to protect #LGBT youth from conversion therapy won final legislative approval 34-19.
— Equality Illinois (@EqualityILL) May 29, 2015
Will he sign it?
If he does, Illinois will join California, New Jersey, Washington, D.C., and most recently, Oregon, who have all banned the harmful and ineffective practice of “ex-gay,” “reparative,” or “conversion” therapy, all designed to turn a gay, lesbian, bisexual, person into a heterosexual person.Â
Sen. Biss reads letter from every major medical and mental health association in support of the bill protecting LGBT youth from therapy.
— Equality Illinois (@EqualityILL) May 29, 2015
Nearly every major medical organization across the nation, and may around the world, have stated that this type of therapy not only does not work, but can be harmful. It has been tied to suicide for years, including in the recent case of Leelah Alcorn, a transgender teenager whose parents, she claimed before taking her life, sent her to Christian-based conversion therapy.
President Barack Obama has called for a nationwide ban, at the state level, on “ex-gay” therapy.
Just ten days ago, Democratic U.S. Congressman Ted Lieu introduced a bill that goes further than any state law to date to ban the harmful practice of conversion therapy – it calls for a complete ban on the practice, for youth as well as adults.
Sen. Hutchinson to youths: “There is nothing wrong with you.” “Every child deserves a chance to be loved wholly as they are.”
— Equality Illinois (@EqualityILL) May 29, 2015
The Illinois bill, SB 217, also known as the Illinois Youth Mental Health Protection Act, will likely be signed by Republican Governor Rauner, although he has not publicly stated his position.
In March, the Chicago Tribune reported “gay rights advocates said they emerged from a meeting with Gov. Bruce Rauner with a pledge the Republican will strictly enforce anti-discrimination laws and hope that he’ll also support their top legislative priority: a ban on gay conversion therapy for minors.”
Activists are hopeful he will keep his word.
#hb217 passes!! onto the governor’s office. congrats @danielbiss @RepKellyCassidy! One step closer to protecting all of Illinois Youth.
— Dr. Scott Leibowitz (@ScottLeibowitz) May 29, 2015
Congratulations to @EqualityILL and @HRC for their work passing #HB217!!! http://t.co/dh5KRUcvPo #LGBT #BornPerfect
— NCLR (@NCLRights) May 29, 2015
Â
Image by JanetandPhil via Flickr and a CC license

Enjoy this piece?
… then let us make a small request. The New Civil Rights Movement depends on readers like you to meet our ongoing expenses and continue producing quality progressive journalism. Three Silicon Valley giants consume 70 percent of all online advertising dollars, so we need your help to continue doing what we do.
NCRM is independent. You won’t find mainstream media bias here. From unflinching coverage of religious extremism, to spotlighting efforts to roll back our rights, NCRM continues to speak truth to power. America needs independent voices like NCRM to be sure no one is forgotten.
Every reader contribution, whatever the amount, makes a tremendous difference. Help ensure NCRM remains independent long into the future. Support progressive journalism with a one-time contribution to NCRM, or click here to become a subscriber. Thank you. Click here to donate by check.
![]() |