Utah Senate Democrats Support Conversion Therapy Ban

For Immediate Release:

October 16, 2019

SALT LAKE CITY - Conversion therapy is a dangerous and discredited practice that has been rejected by every mainstream medical and mental health organization. Attempting to force an individual to change their sexual orientation or gender identity is insulting, dangerous, and unethical. The harmful practice puts our youth at risk, and we support legislative action to ban its practice in Utah.

Due to the lack of action in the last legislative general session to ban conversion therapy, we believe the proposed Psychologist Licensing Board administrative rule is a reasonable, common sense measure to end the harm this discriminatory practice is causing in our state until legislative action takes place. Conversion therapy is particularly detrimental when practiced on minors and can lead to depression, anxiety, homelessness, and suicide.

We stand with our fellow citizens in the LGBTQ+ community and will continue to push for an end to conversion therapy in our state.

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