Colorado seems set to become the 16th U.S. state to ban so-called conversion therapy, the widely debunked practice of trying to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity. The practice, which uses various forms of abuse, has been denounced by most American psychological organizations as a form a psychological torture.
Denverite reports that the state senate recently approved a bill banning the practice for minors. This amended version now heads to the house where legislators voted in favor of it in February. House members will likely approve the bill and send it to openly gay Governor Jared Polis for signing into law.
Polis — a man who we’ve called part of the new face of American politics — pledged to ban conversion therapy during his election campaign.
The 15 U.S. states that have banned conversion therapy include California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington. Washington D.C. and several U.S. cities have also banned it.
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Naturally, religious conservatives have tried to fight ex-gay therapy bans as violations of their “free speech” and “religious freedom” stating that people should have the right to rid themselves of “gender confusion” and “same-sex attraction.”
But the actual methods of ex-gay therapy are shady and questionable. They include telling people not to masturbate, rigorous exercise and bible study, “covert aversion” (making LGBTQ identity seem dangerous, unhealthy and repulsive) and “reframing desire” onto “heterosexual surrogates” (re-directing sexual desire onto opposite-sex partners). Other methods include not shaking hands with anyone of the same-sex and not listening to music — science!
A 2013 survey showed that 84 percent of former patients of ex-gay therapy said it inflicted lasting shame and emotional harm. Numerous conversion therapy advocates have later come out as still gay and apologized for the harm it causes.
Polling also shows that most American oppose conversion therapy, and the U.S. Supreme Court has refused to hear cases challenging these bans as a violation of religious freedom. With a conservative majority now seated on the nation’s highest court, it remains to be seen whether these state bans will continue unopposed.
It should also be said that states with conversion therapy bans still allow other types of abusive “teen discipline” work camps that pledge to “straighten out” queer and “troubled” youth.
Daggerman
..America really does itself an injustice here. How can anyone believe you can change someones sexuality??? Homosexuality, IS NOT a passing phase, it ain’t a choice. Please Please destroy these horrible Nazis called Americans…
djmcgamester
You’re stupid. That some Americans thought this was a good idea does not make all Americans Nazis. Try getting a clue and actually know what a Nazi is and has done. That term is so overused that it denigrates victims of the Holocaust. Not that you care.
Kangol
This is excellent new. Thank you, Colorado legislature and openly gay Democratic governor Jared Polis!
Donald Dork
Do these people really believe that playing football will change someone’s sexual orientation? I played football hundreds of times as a youth and I’m still gay